Angioplasty is a non-surgical procedure that enables a catheter (on whose tip is attached with an inflatable balloon) to thread its way through blocked arteries and vessels, inflating, and thereby re-opening the blocked or clogged passages.

Angioplasty is a procedure that is performed to help open narrowed or blocked blood vessels of the heart. Called coronary arteries, they sometimes get blocked or clogged due to high cholesterol, fat and as a result of smoking. Officially known as percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty, the procedure is also known as balloon angioplasty, PCI (percutaneous coronary intervention) and angioplasty with vascular stents.

Anyone diagnosed with chronic and persistent chest pain, known in medical terms as angina, may benefit from this non-surgical procedure. Individuals who have been diagnosed with one or more blocked or narrowed coronary arteries or those who display a blockage in a coronary artery either during or after a monitored heart attack may also benefit.

Angioplasty procedures costs in the U.S. will depend on type of procedure (balloon or angioplasty with vascular stents). Average costs for such procedures range around $57,000. In some cases, medical and health insurance will help cover these costs. Medical travelers taking advantage of excellently trained and certified physicians in countries like India visiting the Artemis Health Institute in Gurgaon, or the National Heart Centre Singapore, or facilities in Thailand may enjoy huge cost savings. For example, angioplasty procedures in India generally cost around $11,000, while the same procedures cost around $13,000 in Singapore and Thailand.

Accessing reputable and transparent knowledge and medical provider resources such as PlacidWay give patients information regarding procedures, treatments and costs so they can make educate and knowledgeable decisions regarding their cardiac care.