🧪 What causes the blockage?

• Usually cholesterol and fatty deposits build up slowly in the artery.
• Over time, this narrows the artery and reduces blood flow.

🛑 Warning Sign: Angina Pectoris

Angina is a chest pain caused when the heart doesn’t get enough oxygen during physical activity or stress.

💡 Example:

Imagine you’re running, but wearing a tight mask. Your body needs more oxygen, but you can’t get enough air. That’s how the heart feels during angina.

Angina is a warning that a heart attack may occur if proper care is not taken.

⚙️ Treatments for Blocked Coronary Arteries

1. 🩻 Angioplasty and Stenting

📘 What is Angioplasty?

Angioplasty is a non-surgical method to open a blocked artery.

🧪 Procedure:

• A catheter (thin wire) is inserted into the blood vessel and guided to the blocked artery.
• A balloon is passed over the catheter into the blocked area.
• The balloon is inflated, which pushes the blockage aside and widens the artery.
• Dye is injected to confirm the artery is open.

🧱 What is a Stent?

A stent is a metal mesh tube that acts like a support inside the artery to keep it open.

Procedure:

• The stent is placed over the balloon and inserted into the artery.
• When the balloon is inflated, it expands the stent.
• The balloon is removed, but the stent stays in place permanently, holding the artery open.

💡 Real-life Analogy:

Think of a collapsed drain pipe. You insert a balloon inside it, inflate it, and then place a metal ring to hold it open. That’s exactly what a stent does inside a heart artery.

Benefits:

• Less recovery time than surgery
• Quick relief from symptoms

2. 🫁 Coronary Bypass Surgery

If angioplasty is not enough, doctors may do surgery.