Coronary Angioplasty

Coronary angioplasty is a medical procedure used to widen blocked or narrowed coronary arteries, which supply blood to the heart. During the procedure, a doctor guides a thin tube called a catheter into the blocked artery through a small incision, often in the arm or groin. A tiny balloon at the tip of the catheter is inflating to compress plaque against the artery walls, improving blood flow. Often, a stent (a small mesh tube) is placed to keep the artery open. This treatment helps relieve symptoms of heart disease, such as chest pain, and can improve heart function.