What is a treatment for cardiovascular disease involving the insertion of a tube with a balloon into a blocked artery?

Angioplasty is a common procedure used to treat cardiovascular disease by addressing blockages in arteries. During angioplasty, a catheter with a balloon at its tip is inserted into a narrowed or blocked artery. Once the catheter is positioned at the site of the blockage, the balloon is inflated, which compresses the plaque against the artery walls, widening the artery and restoring blood flow. This minimally invasive technique can significantly improve the patient's symptoms and reduce the risk of heart problems.

While other options such as bypass surgery and stent placement can also be used to treat blockages, they involve different methods and processes. Bypass surgery generally involves creating a new pathway for blood flow around a blocked artery using a graft, while stent placement often follows angioplasty, wherein a small mesh tube is inserted to keep the artery open. Atherectomy is a procedure that involves removing the plaque from the artery but does not necessarily involve balloon insertion as part of its primary technique. Angioplasty stands out for its specific focus on balloon-mediated artery expansion.