Coronary angioplasty is a medical procedure in which a balloon catheter is used to open narrowed or blocked blood vessels of the heart (coronary arteries). Fat and cholesterol can accumulate inside arteries, forming deposits that narrowed the arteries enough that blood to the heart is hindered. This procedure can increase the blood flow to the heart, thus decreasing chest pain and enabling the patient to return to exercise. The procedure is performed by a cardiologist and a team of specialized trained individuals at a hospital catheterization laboratory. The patient remains awake for the procedure (no anesthesia) but pain medicine may be given as needed.