Medically reviewed by Achuta Uppu, MD, Internal Medicine. Last reviewed: October 23, 2026.
What kind of doctor provides Angioplasty?
A cardiologist, a heart specialist, usually performs angioplasty. It is most often done in a hospital, in a special room called a cath lab. A direct primary care or concierge doctor can be a first stop for an evaluation and can refer you to a specialist when needed.
What it is
Angioplasty is a procedure to open narrowed or blocked blood vessels that supply blood to the heart. It is also called PCI, short for percutaneous coronary intervention.
A stent is a small mesh tube that expands inside the artery. A stent is often placed during or right after it to help keep the artery from closing up again.
Why a doctor might recommend it
Over time, plaque, a sticky buildup, can narrow the arteries or fully block them.
Doctors use this procedure to reduce chest pain from blockages in the heart arteries. They also use it to limit damage to the heart during or right after a heart attack. In that case, it is an emergency treatment.
Not every blockage needs it. Some people with several blockages may need coronary bypass surgery.
How to prepare
Angioplasty is often done when you go to the hospital or emergency room for chest pain, or after a heart attack. If it is planned ahead, these steps may apply.
- Tell your provider about all medicines and herbs you take, even ones you bought without a prescription.
- You will most often be asked not to eat or drink for 6 to 8 hours before.
- Tell your provider if you are allergic to seafood or ever had a bad reaction to contrast dye or iodine.
What happens during it
You will be awake during the procedure. You get pain medicine, medicine to help you relax, and blood-thinning medicine to prevent a clot.
The doctor puts a thin tube called a catheter into a blood vessel in your arm, wrist, or groin. Live x-ray pictures guide the catheter to your heart. A dye is injected so your heart and blood vessels show up on the x-rays.
The doctor inflates a small balloon inside the blockage to push the plaque flat against the artery wall. This opens the vessel and restores blood flow to the heart. A stent may then be left in place to help keep the artery open. This kind of stent may lower the chance of the artery closing up again.
Recovery
The average hospital stay is 2 days or less. Some people do not stay overnight. In general, people can walk around within a few hours. After emergency treatment for a heart attack, you stay a few more days. Complete recovery takes a week or less.
Your doctor will probably prescribe medicines to prevent blood clots. It does not cure the cause of the blockage, so your arteries may become narrow again. A heart-healthy diet, exercise, not smoking, and less stress can lower your chances of another blocked artery.
Risks and side effects
It is generally safe, but it can cause problems. You may get a bruise, feel sore, or have some bleeding where the tube went in. Other risks include the following.
- An allergic reaction to the x-ray dye or to the drug on a stent
- The stent can clog up again, which can be life threatening
- Heart attack
- An irregular heartbeat
- Stroke, which is rare
Call 911 or go to the emergency room if you have chest pain or discomfort lasting two minutes or more, trouble breathing, fainting, or bleeding that will not stop.
Who performs it
A cardiologist, a heart specialist, usually performs angioplasty.
Common questions
Is angioplasty the same as PCI?
Yes, angioplasty is also called percutaneous coronary intervention, or PCI.
Will I be awake during angioplasty?
Yes, you will be awake and lying down during angioplasty. You get medicine through an IV line to help you relax.
Does angioplasty cure blocked arteries?
No, angioplasty does not cure coronary artery disease. To help prevent more blockages, you need to take prescribed medicines, eat healthy foods, and get regular exercise.
How does a direct primary care or concierge doctor fit in?
A direct primary care doctor charges a flat monthly fee instead of billing insurance, while a concierge doctor usually charges more and often works alongside insurance. Either one can be the provider you tell about your medicines and herbs. A cardiologist usually performs angioplasty.
Sources
Medical Disclaimer
This content is for general educational and informational purposes only and is not medical advice. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and reading it does not create a doctor-patient relationship. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions about a medical condition, and never disregard or delay seeking professional advice because of something you read here. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call 911 (or your local emergency number) immediately.
