Will my insurance cover the procedure?

Most insurance covers the percutaneous coronary intervention procedure and stent placement.

Can I reverse coronary artery disease with lifestyle changes like diet and exercise?

Coronary artery disease (CAD) may be managed with a combination of lifestyle changes, exercise, diet and medical treatment. You can have a positive impact on some risk factors for a heart attack by quitting smoking, taking steps to lower cholesterol, exercising regularly, eating a “heart-healthy” diet, keeping high blood pressure and diabetes under control and seeing your doctor regularly.

Lifestyle changes and medications alone are often not enough, and you may need percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) or bypass surgery. It is important that you talk with your doctor about which treatment is the right one for you and that you understand all of the risks and benefits.

What can I do if I’m not happy with the medication I am prescribed?

If you are not happy with your medication, it is important to talk about it with your general practitioner or heart doctor. Minimally invasive PCI may be able to fully restore blood flow to your heart. This is different from medication, which only masks your symptoms. It is important to talk to your doctor to see if PCI is the right treatment for you and that you understand all of the risks and benefits.

How is PCI different from medical management of coronary artery disease?

Percutaneous coronary intervention is a minimally invasive procedure that treats blockages in coronary arteries and helps to prevent CAD symptoms from coming back. Medical management can treat your symptoms, but it can’t take the blockage away.

If I’ve been told I can’t have bypass surgery, does that mean I can’t have PCI?

If you were told you couldn’t have bypass surgery or coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery, your doctor may not have considered percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) as an option for you. PCI uses minimally invasive advanced technology. It is appropriate for more people now than ever before. It is important that you discuss your treatment choices with your doctor to see if PCI is right for you.

How is PCI different from bypass surgery?

Bypass surgery is open-heart surgery. PCI is a minimally invasive procedure that is done by inserting a catheter into your groin or arm.

Who is eligible for PCI?

PCI is a minimally invasive treatment that has advanced quickly. It can provide reliable results for a broader range of people than ever before, including people with coronary artery disease (CAD), complex CAD and people with chronic total occlusion (CTO). You may also be able to have PCI even if you have previously been rejected for coronary artery bypass graft surgery, or are currently on medical management.

Is PCI only for people with complex coronary artery disease (CAD)?

Complex percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) may be appropriate for anyone who would benefit from restoring blood flow by opening up blocked coronary arteries. It is important that you talk with your doctor about which treatment is the right one for you and that you understand all of the risks and benefits.

Who will decide which treatment choice is right for me?

It is important that you talk to your general practitioner or heart doctor. After you have a diagnosis, your doctor will refer you to an interventional cardiologist, who will help you decide which treatment is right for you.

How can I get referred to a complex PCI specialist?

It is important that you talk to your cardiologist or interventional cardiologist about getting referred for percutaneous coronary intervention.

How does a PCI procedure typically work?

PCI is usually an outpatient procedure. But you may need a short hospital stay. Recovery times are different for everyone. You may be able to leave the hospital the same day or a day after your procedure.