Want more iVillage? Sign up for our
Newsletters
Angioplasty for Heart Attack and Unstable Angina
Emergency angioplasty with or without stenting is typically the first choice of treatment for a heart attack.
Although many factors are involved, angioplasty is most often used if you:
- Are having a heart attack.
- Have frequent or severe chest pain (angina) that is not responding to medicine.
- Have evidence of severely reduced blood flow (ischemia) to an area of heart muscle caused by one or more narrowed coronary arteries.
- Are in good enough health to have the procedure.
Angioplasty may not be a reasonable treatment option when:
- There is no evidence of reduced blood flow to the heart muscle.
- Only small areas of the heart are at risk, and you do not have disabling chest pain (angina).
- You are at risk for having complications or dying during angioplasty due to other health problems.
- The affected artery cannot be reached during angioplasty.
| By: | Healthwise Staff | Last Revised: April 4, 2011 |
| Medical Review: | E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine John M. Miller, MD - Electrophysiology | |
© 1995-2011 Healthwise, Incorporated. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated. This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions.
