Clogged arteries can be unblocked with new laser blast.

Around 85,000 people a year have treatment to widen their arteries which have been narrowed by cholesterol, hypertension and diabetes.

British scientists have developed a new high - powered laser which unblocks clogged arteries in just minutes.

The new procedure involved fitting a special catheter or tube to a new laser called the Excimer that blasts tissues into particles so small they can only be seen under a microscope. It not only reduces operation time but also dramatically speeds up patients recovery time.