Cardiovascular disease is a broad term. "Disease" implies a sudden assault, and "cardiovascular" refers to the disturbance of blood circulation through the blood vessels of a person.

In angiography, a catheter and guide wire are advanced from a vein in the leg or arm to a heart vein. A balloon is then guided along the catheter to the site of the blockage and inflated there.

Some patients have multiple blockages in their blood vessels. In such cases, placing multiple stents may not be feasible or cost-effective. When this happens, the doctor may recommend bypass surgery.