Elective Coronary Angioplasty Offers Relief for Heart Disease Symptoms

Senior couple together sitting on sofa
When it comes to treating heart conditions, angioplasty is usually thought of as a minimally invasive procedure used to clear a blockage in an artery following a heart attack. While this procedure is regularly performed on an emergency basis at Penn Medicine Princeton Medical Center (PMC), angioplasty is also performed on an elective basis to treat heart disease symptoms.

A Proactive Approach

Andrew Shanahan, MD“We have performed emergency angioplasty at PMC for years, and have now expanded our services to include elective coronary angioplasty. As an elective procedure, angioplasty opens arteries that are the cause of chest pain or pressure, heart rhythm disorders or heart failure,” says Andrew Shanahan, MD, Director of the Catheterization Laboratory and Coronary Intervention Program at PMC. “The majority of patients recover quickly from elective coronary angioplasty and experience immediate improvement in symptoms such as shortness of breath, tiredness, and chest pain.”

You may be a good candidate for elective coronary angioplasty if you have a significant narrowing or blockage of a coronary artery, or you have symptoms of heart disease caused by hardening of the arteries. The procedure may be recommended if you:

  • have a heart attack
  • have a significant blockage in one or two coronary arteries
  • have a heart rhythm disorder
  • are not responding well to medications and lifestyle changes prescribed to reverse hardening of the arteries
  • previously had a coronary bypass graft to treat a blockage and the artery is narrowing again, or
  • had an abnormal cardiac stress test.  

The procedure involves inserting a catheter into the clogged artery and using a tiny balloon to clear the blockage and improve blood flow. A stent is usually put in place as well, designed to help prevent the artery from becoming blocked again in the future.

“Most people go home the same day or the next morning, and can resume their normal activities within a week,” says Dr. Shanahan, who is board certified in cardiovascular disease, interventional cardiology, and nuclear cardiology. 

Following elective coronary angioplasty, your cardiologist may prescribe aspirin or other blood-thinning medications to help keep the stent open, as well as medications to help manage cholesterol or blood pressure, if necessary. Lifestyle changes such as eating a healthy diet, becoming more active, and not smoking are also important to maintain good heart health. 

PMC High Performing in Heart Failure

“In some cases, cardiac rehabilitation may be recommended to help you learn how to live a healthier lifestyle and manage your long-term heart health,” says Dr. Shanahan. “Our Cardiac Care Program provides comprehensive care, from advanced testing to minimally invasive procedures, as well as rehabilitation services.”

PMC was recently rated high performing in providing care for heart failure by U.S. News & World Report.


 

Signs of Heart Disease
  • Chest pain or discomfort (angina)
  • Shortness of breath
  • Dizziness
  • Swelling of the legs

 


For more information on PMC’s Cardiac Care Program, visit princetonhcs.org/healthyheartsTo find a cardiologist affiliated with Princeton Medical Center, call 1.888.742.7296, or visit princetonhcs.org/directory.