If you need Coronary Angioplasty & Stenting, waiting for diagnosis and treatment can be stressful. This guide explains the conditions that commonly lead to it and how private medical insurance can help you get seen and treated sooner.
What conditions lead to Coronary Angioplasty & Stenting?
Coronary Artery Disease & Angina
Coronary artery disease develops when fatty plaques build up inside the coronary arteries, narrowing them and reducing blood flow to the heart muscle. The result is angina – chest tightness, breathlessness, and pain on exertion – that can progress to heart attack without intervention. Coronary angioplasty uses a balloon-tipped catheter to open the narrowed artery, and a metal mesh stent is usually left in place to keep it open. It is the most common cardiac intervention in the UK.
How private health insurance can help with Coronary Angioplasty & Stenting
Private cover includes rapid cardiology consultation, diagnostic coronary CT angiography or catheter angiography, the angioplasty and stenting procedure, and cardiac rehabilitation – treating a dangerous narrowing weeks faster than waiting on an NHS list.
Depending on your policy, cover can include:
- Faster access to a specialist consultant
- Diagnostic scans such as MRI, CT, ultrasound and X-ray
- A choice of consultant and private hospital from your insurer's list
- Surgery, hospital stay and, where included, post-treatment physiotherapy or rehabilitation
Cover, limits and exclusions vary between insurers and plans. Most policies don't cover pre-existing or chronic conditions, and you'll usually need a GP referral before claiming. Always check what your policy covers before starting treatment.
How it works
- Get a quote – tell us about yourself and what you want covered, using the form on this page.
- Compare policies – an adviser compares plans from leading UK insurers and recommends suitable options.
- Get covered – choose your plan and start cover once your insurer confirms it. Claims are then made through your insurer.
Want to know more? Read our guides to individual health insurance and family health insurance.
