Who needs angioplasty?
- Chest pain (angina) that continues despite medicines
- One or two narrowed coronary arteries suitable for stenting
- A heart attack, when angioplasty is done urgently
- A positive stress test or CT coronary angiogram showing significant narrowing
How angioplasty is done
A cardiologist first performs a coronary angiogram to see the blockages. If angioplasty is suitable, a thin wire is passed to the blockage, a balloon is inflated to open it, and a drug-coated stent is placed to keep the artery open. Most patients are awake and comfortable throughout.
Reports to send before you travel
- Any previous angiogram report and CD
- Echocardiogram (echo) report
- ECG and stress test or CT coronary angiogram, if done
- Blood tests: kidney function, blood sugar
- A list of your medicines
Recovery and your stay in Chennai
Most patients go home from hospital within 1 to 3 days. We recommend staying in Chennai for about 5 to 7 days in total, so the cardiologist can review you before you fly.
After a stent, you take blood-thinning medicines, usually for 6 to 12 months for one of them and lifelong for aspirin. Never stop these medicines without your cardiologist's advice.
What affects the cost of angioplasty in India
- Number of stents and type of stent
- Whether an angiogram is also needed
- Use of imaging such as IVUS or OCT for complex blockages
- The hospital and room category
Send your reports for a free doctor review and written cost estimate.
Frequently asked questions
Can the angiogram and angioplasty be done on the same day?
Often yes. If the angiogram shows a blockage suitable for a stent, the cardiologist may proceed in the same sitting after discussing it with you.
How long will a stent last?
A stent stays in the artery permanently. Keeping the artery open long-term depends on taking your medicines, controlling sugar, blood pressure and cholesterol, and not smoking.
This page gives general information to help you plan. It is not a diagnosis or a substitute for advice from a doctor who has examined you. Your treating specialist in Chennai will confirm the right treatment for you.