Final answer:
The patient's arterial vessels are narrowed due to coronary artery disease (CAD), and angioplasty is scheduled to treat the condition. Angioplasty involves widening the occluded artery with a balloon and potentially placing a stent to maintain vessel patency. CAD is a result of atherosclerosis and can lead to serious heart conditions if not managed properly.
Step-by-step explanation:
The patient's arterial vessels have become dangerously narrowed due to coronary artery disease (CAD), and an angioplasty will be scheduled. Coronary artery disease is a class of diseases that result from atherosclerosis of the coronary arteries. This condition involves the buildup of plaque within the arterial walls, leading to the obstruction of blood flow, which, if left untreated, can cause ischemia, hypoxia, and potentially myocardial infarction. Angioplasty is a medical procedure aimed at treating occluded arteries by mechanically widening them with a balloon.
Atherosclerosis is a slow-progressing disease that usually starts in childhood, manifesting as fatty streaks within the vessels and progressively worsening over time. Risk factors for this condition include smoking, family history, hypertension, obesity, diabetes, lack of exercise, stress, and hyperlipidemia. CAD is a dangerous manifestation of atherosclerosis affecting the coronary arteries, which supply the heart with oxygenated blood.
During an angioplasty, a catheter with a balloon tip is inserted into the narrowed vessel. This catheter is typically accessed through a superficial vessel, such as one in the leg, and maneuvered to the site of the occlusion. The balloon is then inflated, compressing the plaque against the artery wall, thereby widening the vessel to promote improved blood flow. A stent, a small mesh tube, may be inserted to support the opened area and prevent collapse post-procedure.
In addition to angioplasty, several other treatment strategies exist for managing CAD. Lifestyle changes, such as diet modifications, increased physical activity, smoking cessation, and weight loss are fundamental. Medications may be prescribed to manage cholesterol levels and blood pressure. In some cases, more invasive procedures like endarterectomy or coronary bypass surgery may be necessary to manage severe blockages or to provide alternative routes for blood circulation around blocked arteries.