In a condition known as coronary heart disease (CHD) or coronary artery disease, plaque, a fatty substance, can accumulate inside the coronary arteries. This buildup narrows the arteries, restricting the flow of oxygen-rich blood to the heart muscle.
Risk factors such as high blood cholesterol, high blood pressure, diabetes, and smoking can contribute to CHD. Narrowed or blocked coronary arteries can lead to angina (chest pain) or a heart attack.
During angioplasty, a procedure to widen the artery passage, doctors use an expanding balloon to compress plaque and improve blood flow to the heart. Typically, a stent is placed in the treated artery to support the inner artery wall and reduce the risk of future narrowing or blockage. Without a stent, there’s a higher chance of artery closure after angioplasty.
The carotid arteries in the neck can also become narrowed due to plaque buildup, a condition called carotid artery disease. This limits blood flow to the brain, increasing the risk of stroke. Stents may be used to maintain open carotid arteries after widening with angioplasty, although long-term efficacy is still under study.
Plaque accumulation can also affect arteries in the kidneys, arms, and legs. Narrowed kidney arteries can impair kidney function and blood pressure control, while peripheral arterial disease (P.A.D.) in limb arteries can cause pain, cramping, or even limb-threatening circulation problems. Angioplasty followed by stent placement is a common approach to relieve these issues and maintain artery patency.
Additionally, weakened areas of the aorta can lead to aneurysms, bulges in the artery walls, which can occur in the abdomen or chest.