Balloon Angioplasty for Peripheral Artery Disease #health #facts #heartattack #doctor #angioplasty

Balloon angioplasty is a minimally invasive procedure used to treat peripheral artery disease (PAD). It involves inserting a thin tube (catheter) with a tiny balloon at the tip into the blocked artery. The balloon is inflated to compress the plaque against the artery wall, widening the passage and improving blood flow.

Here's how it works:

Catheter Insertion: The doctor makes a small incision in your groin or arm and inserts the catheter into the artery.
Balloon Inflation: The catheter is guided to the blockage, and the balloon is inflated to compress the plaque.
Blood Flow Restoration: The compressed plaque creates a wider channel for blood to flow through.
Benefits of Balloon Angioplasty:

Minimally invasive with a shorter recovery time compared to open surgery.
Can improve blood flow and relieve PAD symptoms like claudication (leg pain with exertion).
May delay the need for more invasive procedures like bypass surgery.
Potential Risks:

Bleeding at the puncture site
Blood clot formation
Damage to the artery
Allergic reaction to contrast dye