Arteries are strong blood vessels that carry oxygenated blood from the heart to all areas of the body. When arteries get blocked either due to atherosclerosis or a blood clot, it can reduce or eliminate blood flow to parts of the body---an extremely dangerous condition. As a result, blocked arteries represent a significant medical problem.
Localization
Before a blocked artery can be treated, it is important for physicians to know the location and extent of the blockage. Medline Plus, a website of the National Institutes of Health, explains that this is typically done using an angiogram. An angiogram often involves the injection of a special dye into the circulatory system that will appear on an X-ray. This allows doctors to visualize the blood vessels, especially the arteries, and see where the arteries are blocked.
Causes
One of the most common causes of a blocked artery is atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis is a condition that is caused by the accumulation of cholesterol in the walls of the artery forming what is called an atherosclerotic plaque. This causes the walls of the artery to become hard and thick. Over time, the accumulation of plaque can cause the arteries to become narrowed or blocked.
Extent of Blockage
Treatment of a blocked artery depends in part on the extent of the blockage as well as which arteries are affected. Blockage of the coronary arteries leads to decreased blood flow to the heart, which can lead to angina (chest pain) or a heart attack. Blockage of the carotid arteries can lead to dizziness from reduced blood flow to the brain, and an increased risk of stroke. These are both medical emergencies and require immediate treatment. Blockage of peripheral arteries is less serious, though peripheral artery disease can lead to muscle weakness and fatigue.
Treatments
An angioplasty is a procedure that can be used to open up a blocked artery. As the Merck Manual indicates, in this procedure a catheter is threaded through the arteries until it reaches the blockage. The catheter has a balloon attached to it, which is then inflated. This helps clear out the blocked artery. Once an angioplasty has been performed, a stent may be placed to help keep the previously blocked artery open.
Vascular Web explains that sometimes surgery is needed to treat a blocked artery. One procedure that can be used is bypass surgery, in which a portion of a vein is taken from elsewhere in the body and is used to re-route (or bypass) blood around the blockage. Alternately, a synthetic blood vessel can be used for the bypass instead of a vein graft.
Anticoagulants are another important part of treating blocked arteries. Anticoagulant medications, which include heparin and warfarin, may be used to help prevent blood clots from occurring. These are often given just before an angioplasty to help keep blood clots from forming during the procedure. If a stent is put in, patients may need anticoagulant therapy for the rest of their lives to keep clots from forming on the stent.
Risks
Of the treatment options, surgery carries with it the greatest risk, particularly if the blocked arteries are located near the heart or the brain. During surgery, blood flow to these organs can become limited, leading to permanent tissue damage. Angioplasty and stents are safer options, but there is the risk of a blood clot developing in the affected arteries or the artery becoming blocked again. Anticoagulants can minimize this risk, but the long-term use of anticoagulant therapy means that the patient will bleed more easily, increasing the risk of hemorrhaging. This can lead to bleeding into the gastrointestinal system or a cerebral hemorrhage.
