Lifestyle factors like smoking, poor diet, and aging can take their toll on your heart. You may find yourself at an increased risk of heart attack or stroke. If this is your case, our doctor in Fort Myers may recommend that you go through a procedure called angioplasty.
What is Angioplasty?
Angioplasty is a minimally-invasive procedure that can be done on either an inpatient or outpatient basis. The doctor doing the procedure inserts a catheter into one of the arteries in your leg or groin. The catheter then is maneuvered into the affected heart artery to remove the blockage.
During this time, the doctor will open the blocked artery by inflating a balloon attached to the catheter. The balloon pushes the plaque to the side of the artery so that more blood can get to your heart.
Depending on the severity of the blockage, our doctor may also insert a stent that will keep the artery open after the catheter and balloon are removed. Your heart should then get enough blood to function normally. This should lower your risk of suffering or dying from a heart attack or stroke.
After the angioplasty procedure in Fort Myers is finished, you will be taken to the recovery unit in the hospital. Your blood pressure, heart rate, pulse, and post-operative bleeding will be closely monitored by our team of medical professionals until you are cleared to go home.
Our doctor will probably advise you to avoid heavy lifting, strenuous exercise, and driving for a set amount of time after you return home. You also may be prescribed medication to further lower your risk for a heart attack or stroke.
Candidacy for Angioplasty
Doctors have the duty to ensure that patients are well enough to go through and withstand this procedure. The ideal candidates for angioplasty are people who:
• Have frequent or severe angina that does not respond to medication or lifestyle changes
• Have evidence of severely reduced blood flow to one area of the heart
• Have blocked arteries that will respond well to angioplasty
• Are in good enough health to go through the procedure without suffering complications
A blocked artery can lead to you suffering a heart attack or stroke. You may avoid significant damage to your heart by going through a simple angioplasty procedure performed by our doctor at Cardiology Consultants of Southwest Florida in Fort Myers. Contact us today to schedule a consultation to learn more!
