Coronary Angioplasty: Cost and Treatment in Singapore
The heart is a busy organ that pumps blood throughout the body. So when a coronary disease takes over, it can cause serious health concerns.
Your doctor may suggest you undergo a coronary angioplasty to make sure that everything is in order. To give you a head start, this guide will help you know the cost and treatment of coronary angioplasty here in Singapore.
What is a coronary angioplasty?
Coronary angioplasty is a procedure used to open clogged heart arteries. This is also called percutaneous coronary intervention.
In fact, coronary angioplasty improves the symptoms of extreme chest pain and shortness of breath. During a heart attack, it’s also used to open the blocked artery and lessen the injury to the heart.
This procedure is performed by a heart specialist or cardiologist, as well as a team of cardiovascular nurses and technicians. The surgery is conducted in a cardiac catheterisation laboratory.
How does the treatment work?
Contrary to popular belief, coronary angioplasty is not considered a major surgery. But due to the heart’s delicate nature, any treatment that involves surgery always has its risks.
First, a catheter is inserted through an artery in the arm or groin before being carefully threaded into the coronary artery. Then, a thin wire with a small balloon is threaded to reach the point of obstruction.
To widen the obstructed artery, the balloon is inflated to push the plaque to the sides of the arterial wall, allowing blood flow to return.
In some cases, a dissolvable stent is opened while the balloon is inflated to secure that the artery is open. Afterwhich, both the balloon and catheter are removed, and normal blood flow continues.
On one hand, it’s advisable to choose a heart surgeon that specialises in this procedure to ensure a safe treatment with less discomfort.
Estimated Costs of Coronary Angioplasty Based on the Ministry of Health (MOH)
In Singapore, the cost of a coronary angioplasty varies on factors such as your chosen healthcare institution, ward type, and severity of the condition.
The table below shows some of the fee benchmark and bill amount information provided by the MOH:
Medical costs are usually high, especially when it comes to procedures involving heart disease and cancer. That’s why health insurance plays a big role in covering hospital bills.
Luckily, in Singapore, procedures like coronary angioplasty can be covered by MediSave and MediShield Life. On one hand, you can also use Integrated Shield Plans such as Singlife with Aviva, AIA, and AXA as well.