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What is Coronary Angioplasty?
What is Coronary Angioplasty?Transcript“I got up in the morning and went outside to move the car out of the garage, andsuddenly started to have what I thought was respiratory problem. It was veryhot weather. I came in and said to my wife, ‘I’m going to lie down on the bed fora minute.’ And she said, at that point, ‘Maybe I’d better take you to the doctor.’ Isaid, ‘No. I think you’d better call the ambulance.’”Like this patient, your doctor has recommended that you have a procedure calledcoronary angioplasty. To help you understand this procedure, we’ll begin by looking atthe heart and how it works.The heart is a muscle that continuously pumps blood throughout the body. To do itsjob, the heart needs oxygen and nutrients. These are supplied by large blood vessels,called coronary arteries.The arteries and their branches wrap around the surface of the heart. Blood flowseasily through a healthy artery.But over time, fatty deposits called plaque can build up in the artery wall. Thisnarrowing of the artery is called atherosclerosis.The artery can become partially blocked, reducing the flow of blood to the heart.Reduced blood flow can cause chest discomfort, especially during physical activity,when your heart is beating harder and needs even more oxygen-rich blood. Thepressure or tightness you feel is called angina pectoris. It’s a warning sign that youmay be at risk for a heart attack.An angioplasty procedure can eliminate the blockage and open the artery, increasingblood flow and reducing your symptoms. If you have any questions about coronaryangioplasty and the benefits to you, talk to your healthcare provider.20% gradient meshhealthclipshealthclipshealthclipshealthclips4% gradient meshThis program is for informational purposes only. Publisher disclaims all guarantees regarding the accuracy, completeness, orsuitability of this video for medical decision making. For all health related issues please contact your healthcare provider.hc_ha_10207_98_en_t00002.pdf © Milner-Fenwick, Inc.healthclips5% gradient mesh
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