Health care is an ever-developing industry, and new research is constantly challenging the wisdom of old research. This is, of course, a good thing. But it can also be a frustrating thing if, as a patient, you get caught in the middle of a "learning curve." One such learning curve seems to be happening now, as new data suggests that millions of people are receiving angioplasty procedures either too soon in the course of treatment, or in some cases, completely unnecessarily.

Today the majority of angioplasties are done in a non-emergent setting to relieve chest pain and clogged arteries, but experts are now saying that in the situations where there is no imminent threat medications should be tried first. They expect many people will recover without needing the invasive procedure at all.