MR-guided radiotherapy
HCA Healthcare UK invests £15million to introduce advanced MR-guided radiotherapy with Elekta Unity MR Linac
Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI)
Coronary Angioplasty
- The UK's No.1 for private cardiac care*
- Appointments in as little as 24 hours for coronary angioplasty treatment
- 99% of our cardiac patients would recommend us to friends and family
- Expert cardiac consultants across HCA UK locations to provide angioplasty procedures
PCI Care at HCA
Why choose HCA UK?
We’re the UK’s leading private provider of PCI care, trusted by more patients than any other hospital group. That experience means our leading consultants are able to deliver better outcomes for patients, from diagnosis right through to treatment, whether simple or complex.
With appointments confirmed within 24 hours, and test results within two working days, you’ll have fast access to the full range of state-of-the-art cardiac care, from non-invasive treatments to complex surgery and aftercare.
It’s why 99% of our patients say they would recommend us.
You may see a percutaneous coronary intervention referred to as 'coronary angioplasty' or a 'Percutaneous Transluminal Coronary Angioplasty (PTCA)'.
It’s a non-surgical treatment to widen arteries in the heart that have become narrow or blocked by plaque. When this fatty substance builds up in the arteries, the condition, known as atherosclerosis, affects the blood supply to and from the heart muscle.
If it goes undiagnosed or untreated, it can increase your risk of a heart attack and cardiovascular diseases such as heart failure and arrhythmia.
A coronary angioplasty usually takes between one and two hours, although sometimes it can take longer. The typical angioplasty procedure steps are as follows:
- You’ll be given a local anaesthetic to numb your groin or wrist. You may also be given a sedative to help you relax.
- A small tube will be inserted into your artery. A catheter is then placed inside that tube.
- The catheter will enable the consultant to pass a small wire into the blood vessels around your heart. If required the consultant can then pass a small, deflated balloon attached to it. This is guided into place using an X-ray.
- The balloon is inflated, which opens your artery.
- A stent, made of wire mesh, will be inserted to keep the artery open.
- The balloon and catheter are then removed, leaving the stent in position.
We also offer complex percutaneous coronary interventions. These tend to take a little longer than the standard PCI procedures and are usually used to treat multiple arteries or those that are severely blocked.
Your consultant may recommend coronary angioplasty if you have angina that’s not controlled by medication. They’ll assess your symptoms and test results before advising whether the procedure is right for you. Angioplasty can also be used as emergency treatment for a heart attack.
If you have chest pain that does not go away, especially with sweating or breathlessness, call 999 for emergency help.
If you’re worried about your symptoms and would like to speak to a GP, you can book same-day and next-day private GP appointments with us.
Your coronary angioplasty procedure should improve the blood supply to your heart, thus relieving your symptoms. We find that many people who have PCI treatment remain largely symptom-free as a result.
Angioplasty does not cure the underlying coronary heart disease. You’ll still need to take your prescribed medicines and follow advice on protecting your heart.
In some cases, a patient’s arteries can get narrower again, a condition known as restenosis, but the risk of this happening is decreasing all the time. This is due to improvements in the stent technology available to us.
Every person we treat is unique, and the benefits to you will depend on your condition and general health. However, typically, percutaneous coronary intervention can help to:
- Relieve chest pain
- Reduce feelings of breathlessness
- Reduce fatigue
- Give you more energy
When used to treat a heart attack, coronary angioplasty can improve survival and reduce the risk of another heart attack. Your consultant will explain the benefits you can expect in your circumstances.
Of course, as with any medical procedure, PCI comes with some risk of complications. For more information on these, see the FAQ section at the bottom of this page.
36,000
Cardiac patients treated every year
99%
Clinical success rate in the last 3 years
200+
Expert cardiology consultants for you to choose from.
Next-day appointments
You’ll have access to a cardiac consultant within 24 hours.*
State-of-the-art diagnostics
With results in as little as 48 hours.*
Wide-reaching expertise across the UK
Visit any one of 15 dedicated diagnostic centres in London, Manchester and Birmingham.
What to expect during your coronary angioplasty procedure
From PCI consultation to aftercare
From the moment you step through the door, until the time you’re ready to leave, we want you to feel as comfortable as possible with us, every step of the way.
Along with state-of-the-art treatment and luxurious surroundings, one of the ways we can put you at ease is to prepare you for your visit and let you know what to expect at each stage.
If you have any questions that aren’t answered here, or in the FAQ section below, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. Our team will be happy to help in any way they can.
01
Initial PCI consultation
If you’re concerned about your heart, we can offer you a GP appointment, often within 24 hours. Your GP can refer you to a cardiac consultant, who’ll discuss your symptoms and medical history and arrange any imaging or diagnostic tests you need.
02
Investigations and diagnosis before coronary angioplasty
The tests your consultant arranges will depend on the nature of your condition. You’ll get the results within 48 hours, and your case could be presented to a dedicated cardiac multidisciplinary team, in order to ensure the highest level of medical care.
Your consultant will explain whether percutaneous coronary intervention is suitable for you and discuss your treatment options.
03
Your coronary angioplasty treatment
You’ll usually have a local anaesthetic to numb your wrist or groin, so you’ll be awake during the procedure. You may also be given a sedative to help you relax.
After your coronary angioplasty, you may be able to go home the same day. However, if you do stay overnight, you'll be well looked after in one of our beautiful, comfortable rooms.
04
Aftercare following PCI
If you do stay overnight, you should be able to return home the next day. You might not be able to drive for at least a week, so you'll need to arrange for someone to help with your transport.
You can expect to have a bit of bruising or soreness where the catheter was inserted, but please get in touch if the pain or bruising gets worse, the area starts to swell, or you develop a temperature.
We’ll also prescribe medication to help with your recovery, including aspirin to reduce the risk of blood clots, and statins to lower your cholesterol.
Making you comfortable
Your stay at HCA UK
Your time with us is about more than expert treatment and state-of-the-art facilities. From beautiful rooms to luxurious bathrooms, you’ll find spaces to relax and recuperate in your own time and at your own pace.
Pioneering treatments
Over the last five years, we’ve reinvested more than 85% of our profits back into our hospitals, so we can offer you the very latest technology and pioneering treatments.
Luxurious rooms
Seasonal menus
Where can I get my angioplasty procedure?
Across our extensive network of hospitals and treatment centres in London, we have dozens of industry-leading cardiologists who can help you, from initial consultation to your angioplasty procedure and subsequent recovery.
The Wellington Hospital
8A Wellington Place St John's Wood NW8 9LE London
London Bridge Hospital
27 Tooley Street SE1 2PR London
The Harley Street Clinic
35 Weymouth Street W1G 8BJ London
Book your next-day appointment with an expert PCI consultant
If you don’t have a referral, don’t worry. Our private GPs can refer you to an appropriate consultant or for further tests. You can often get a same- or next-day appointment, so get in touch today to see how we can help.
Accessing private healthcare
Self-pay
You don’t need health insurance to be seen quickly. If you’re looking for a diagnosis or treatment and don’t want to wait, all our private healthcare services – from private GP appointments through to surgery and aftercare – can be paid for as and when you need them.
And to give you peace of mind from the start, we’ll offer you a clear and transparent quote outlining exactly what’s included in your self-pay package.
Coronary angioplasty FAQs
Coronary angioplasty widens narrowed or blocked arteries that supply blood to your heart. A small balloon is used to open the artery, and a mesh tube called a stent is usually left in place to help keep it open.
Angioplasty with stenting is also known as Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI). Although sometimes called angioplasty surgery, it is a minimally invasive procedure rather than open-heart surgery.
As with any medical procedure, a angioplasty can come with a risk of complications. These include:
- Bleeding or bruising around the area where the catheter is inserted
- Infection around the area
- Blood clots, which can form within stents
Major complications are extremely rare but can include:
- Heart attack or stroke during or after the procedure
- Damage to the coronary artery during the procedure
- Allergic reactions
Before your PCI, you'll have time to ask your consultant any questions you may have about the potential risks involved. We conduct more than 500 of these procedures every year and we're ranked number one in the UK for private cardiac care*, so you're in safe hands.
Your care team will explain when to stop eating and drinking before your procedure and whether you need to change any medicines. Do not stop taking prescribed medicines unless they advise you to. In the lead-up to your procedure, follow your team’s advice on activity and eat a healthy diet.
Most patients who have private angioplasty with us stay overnight following the procedure, so you may need to organise time off work and arrange for someone to take you to and from the hospital.
Coronary angioplasty is usually carried out under local anaesthetic. This numbs the area where the catheter is inserted, usually your wrist or groin, while you remain awake. You may also be given a sedative to help you relax. Your consultant will explain the anaesthetic plan for you.
A percutaneous coronary intervention usually takes between one to two hours, although sometimes it can take longer. The typical PCI procedure steps are as follows:
- You will be given a local anaesthetic to numb your groin or wrist. You may also be given a sedative to help you relax.
- A small tube will be inserted into your artery, and a catheter placed inside that tube.
- The catheter allows the consultant to pass a small wire into the blood vessels around your heart. If necessary, the consultant can then pass a small, deflated balloon attached to it. This is guided into place using an X-ray.
- The balloon will be inflated, which will open your artery.
- A stent, made of wire mesh, will be inserted to keep the artery open.
- The balloon and catheter are then removed, leaving the stent in position.
We also offer complex PCIs. These tend to take a little longer than the standard PCI procedures and are usually used to treat multiple arteries or those that are severely blocked. We may also use additional techniques such as intravascular imaging or calcium modification to ensure your arteries are working as efficiently as possible.
Before your angioplasty procedure, your consultant will answer any questions you may have. Our cardiac specialists are experts in their field, with years of experience to help put your mind at ease.
There are some simple lifestyle changes you can make that may help to reduce the risk of plaque building up in your arteries. These include:
- Being physically active on a regular basis
- Eating a healthy diet and reducing fatty foods
- Giving up smoking
- Reducing your alcohol intake
Your consultant will recommend the most suitable and effective treatment for you and your condition. If they don't believe a coronary angioplasty is the best course of action, they’ll discuss other options with you to make sure you’re completely comfortable with your treatment plan. These will depend on the nature of your condition but could include:
- Changes to your lifestyle (as mentioned above)
- Prescribed medication to relieve your symptoms
- A heart bypass or Coronary Artery Bypass Graft (CABG), where a blood vessel is taken from elsewhere in your body and used to bypass your blocked artery
After a planned coronary angioplasty, you can usually go home the same day or the day after. Many people return to work after a few days to a week, but this will depend on the kind of work they do. Avoid heavy lifting and strenuous activity for around a week, or until your care team says it is safe.
Recovery can take several weeks or even months if you’ve had an emergency angioplasty following a heart attack. Your overall health, other medical conditions and any complications can affect how quickly you recover. Your care team will give you advice tailored to your situation about returning to work, driving and exercise. They’ll also discuss cardiac rehabilitation with you.
The cost of private angioplasty depends on the treatment you need. If you’re paying for your own care, we’ll provide a clear quote outlining what’s included in your self-pay package. You can also use private medical insurance if your policy covers the procedure.
You can contact our team for a personalised quote and advice on paying for your care, or find out more about the cost of angioplasty surgery.
Cardiac Care Patient Stories
“My mum and I were overwhelmed with the level of care I received at The Portland Hospital and The Harley Street Clinic. We felt so safe and cared for.”
*Based on national private cardiac volumes. Data source: The Private Healthcare Information Network. 1 January 2025-1 December 2025