Tips for Flying When You Have Varicose Veins
If you have the bulging veins known as varicose veins, it’s easy — and reasonable — to have concerns about flying. Consider these expert tips for protecting your vein health in the air.
3 Reasons You May Need an Angioplasty
Curious about angioplasty and whether it’s right for you? Angioplasty opens blocked arteries and restores blood flow to the heart. If you have blocked coronary arteries, you may qualify for this minimally invasive procedure that can reduce the risk of heart attacks and related complications.
At Lone Star Heart and Vascular in Tomball, Texas, our experienced cardiologists can address one or multiple blockages in a single procedure.
In this blog, we explain how angioplasty works and who can benefit from it. Learn how angioplasty can help restore blood flow and prevent serious heart complications. We’ll also highlight three reasons it might be right for you.
All about angioplasty
Though angioplasty may not be suitable for everyone, our cardiology team can determine if you’re a candidate through a thorough health evaluation.
Here’s what happens during the procedure:
- You’ll receive a sedative to keep you relaxed but conscious.
- Our cardiology team inserts a thin tube (catheter) with a small balloon attached to an artery in your groin, wrist, or arm and guides it to the blocked area in your heart.
- Using fluoroscopy (real-time X-ray technology), we monitor the catheter's progress.
- Once positioned, we inject a contrast dye to address the plaque buildup.
We then inflate the balloon to widen the artery and improve blood flow. In many cases, our cardiology team also places a small mesh stent to keep the artery open and prevent future blockages.
Benefits of angioplasty
Angioplasty offers improved blood flow to the heart by opening blocked arteries. It can quickly relieve symptoms like chest pain and reduce the risk of heart attack. By restoring circulation, angioplasty helps patients regain energy, enhances their quality of life, and may prevent the need for more invasive surgeries.
The three reasons you may need an angioplasty
Our team always performs a comprehensive evaluation of your overall health before recommending an angioplasty. We often recommend angioplasty as part of a comprehensive treatment plan when you have:
Atherosclerosis that doesn’t respond to traditional treatment
If lifestyle changes, medications, and other treatments aren't effectively managing the blockages in your coronary arteries, angioplasty may be the next step to prevent further complications.
Angina (chest pain)
Persistent or worsening chest pain (angina) due to atherosclerosis may require angioplasty if other treatments, such as medications, aren’t providing relief.
Heart incident
Angioplasty is often performed after a heart attack to quickly remove blockages and restore blood flow, minimizing the risk of permanent heart muscle damage.
Candidates who DO NOT benefit from angioplasty
Certain conditions, such as diabetes, a weakened heart muscle, or severe arterial blockages, may make angioplasty the wrong intervention for you.
In these cases, our team may recommend coronary artery bypass surgery, during which time we use a healthy blood vessel from another part of your body to bypass the blockage and restore normal blood flow to your heart. This approach can help reduce the risk of heart attack and other serious complications.
If you’re experiencing heart-related symptoms or are concerned about your cardiovascular health, contact us to schedule a consultation and explore the best treatment options for you. We can determine if angioplasty or other treatments are right to help your condition.
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