Final answer:
To reduce artery occlusion, angioplasty is performed; it uses a balloon catheter to widen the artery, after which a stent is inserted to keep it open. The stent provides reinforcement to the artery walls and has been commonly used in cardiology for decades.
Step-by-step explanation:
To reduce the occlusion of an artery, a procedure called angioplasty may be performed, during which a balloon catheter is inserted into an artery. This catheter is threaded to the site of the occlusion and then inflated to open up the vessel and improve blood flow. Following this, a stent, which is a small mesh tube, is usually inserted to keep the artery open and prevent it from collapsing after the angioplasty procedure. The use of stents has been a routine practice in cardiology for over 40 years and is often accompanied by lifestyle changes and medication to address underlying health issues contributing to arterial blockage.