WILSON COUNTY, N.C. — People who live in Wilson County and the surrounding area no longer have to travel for a life-saving surgery.

The Wilson Medical Center now offers Percutaneous Coronary Intervention or PCI, a procedure that treats blocked arteries and prevents heart attacks. Doctors said it is more convenient for them and their patients, who no longer have to travel up to 45 minutes to get it done in Raleigh or Greenville.

"Now we're able to revascularize the artery to open the blockage and place the stent and facilitate hospital discharge. It's cost-effective; it also provides a nice safe way for the patients here in Wilson to get their coronary interventions without having to travel roundtrip to local urban centers,” said Interventional Cardiologist, Dr. Matthew Hook.

Wilson resident Brian Grawburg said having someone go into your heart while you are still conscious is not so bad if doctors and nurses connect with you.

"If I had to have another stent I wouldn't have any problem having it there but I hope I never have another stent," said Grawburg.

The Wilson Medical Center is affiliated with Wake Heart Center to provide the procedure locally.