A doctor of St.John's Medical college & hospital in Bengaluru is offering free angioplasty to the poor,mainly who are young heart patients and bread winners of the family.
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‘Angioplasty is a minimally invasive endovascular procedure performed using a tube that is inserted through a blood vessel in the groin or arm to widen the narrowed or obstructive blood vessels or veins in the heart, as a result of atherosclerosis.’
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With funds raised from friends and well-wishers, Varghese, 59, will perform about 30 angioplasty surgeries on the heart patients of the economically weaker sections over a month, till February 19. 
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Angioplasty, which involves insertion of a tube or a stent to widen blocked arteries, costs Rs 1-2 lakh at private hospitals.
"As only a limited number of surgeries can be performed with the funds raised, younger patients and breadwinners of their families will get preference for the surgery," said Varghese.
One arterial block of each patient will be cleared through angioplasty so as to benefit the maximum numbers.
Patients requiring immediate surgery will be selected through a screening process.
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Awareness of the dreaded disease, however, is low, especially in rural areas, a study commissioned by global medical technology trade association Advanced Medical Technology Association (AdvaMed), found.
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"The arterial blocks are more common among men in the 40-60 age group," added Varghese.
Source-IANS