PAD Treatment: What is Angioplasty?
PAD Treatment: What is Angioplasty?If peripheral artery disease, or PAD, is getting in the way of your life every day, or ifyour blood flow is severely reduced because of a blockage, your healthcare providermay recommend a procedure called angioplasty. Angioplasty opens up the blockedartery and restores blood flow.Arteries in your neck, legs, and arms, called peripheral arteries, circulate oxygen-richblood throughout your body. Blood flows easily through a healthy peripheral artery.But over time, cholesterol and other fatty deposits, called plaque, can build up on theartery wall. This narrowing of the arteries is called atherosclerosis.The artery can become partially blocked, reducing blood flow to parts of your body.Because it is more common to have blockages in your legs, if you have PAD youmay notice leg pain, called claudication; fatigue; cramping; dry, scaly skin; poor hairgrowth; and slow healing wounds on your lower legs and feet.If untreated, the blockage can continue to build. Your peripheral arteries may narroweven further. A piece of plaque can break off of the blockage, travel down a vessel andget lodged in place, completely blocking the artery.When oxygen-rich blood cannot get to a part of the body, damage occurs. Thisdamage can cause serious complications, like amputation, and can even lead to heartattack and stroke.For many people, lifestyle changes and medication may be enough to control thesymptoms of PAD and improve overall heart health. But for some, angioplasty maybe needed to restore blood flow through the peripheral arteries and prevent the longterm complications of PAD.During the angioplasty procedure, a catheter, usually with a tiny balloon attached toit, will be guided through the artery to the narrowed spot. The balloon pressesthe20% gradient meshplaque against the artery walls, widening the artery so that blood flows easily again.The balloon is then removed.healthclipsIf needed, your doctor may also implant a small metal device, called a stent, into thehealthclipsartery. Using a catheter, the stent will be advanced to the spot where the plaque wascompressed and inflated to expand the stent against the artery wall. The stent will stayin place providing structural support and reducing the risk that this part of thehealthclipsarterywill narrow again.healthclips(cont. nextpage)4% 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_10195_98_en_t00002.pdf© Milner-Fenwick, Inc.healthclips5% gradient meshpad treatment: What is Angioplasty and Stenting?Transcript (page 2 of 2)If a stent is used, you will be given a special medication called an antiplatelet agent toprevent blood clots from forming. Depending on the type of stent used, the amount oftime you need to use this medication will vary.The angioplasty and stenting procedures usually take about one hour. It can be doneon an out-patient basis, which means you will go home the same day; or, during a stayin the hospital.PAD is serious. It is a warning sign that you are at risk for serious health problems,including heart attack and stroke. Angioplasty and stenting can restore blood flow toyour neck, arms, and legs and reduce both the symptoms and the complications ofPAD.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_10195_98_en_t00002.pdf© Milner-Fenwick, Inc.healthclips5% gradient mesh
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