Heart Stent: Procedure, Risk and Care After Treatment

Heart stent is one of the most important treatments for patients with clogged or narrow blood vessels due to coronary heart disease.

This procedure not only saves life, but also helps restore blood flow to the heart.

This article will briefly explain how stents are installed, possible risks and care steps that need to be taken after treatment to ensure long -term effectiveness.

Also read: 7 types of heart disease that Malaysians need to know!

What is heart stent?

Heart stent is a small -shaped metal -shaped tool used to reopen the clogged or narrow coronary artery.

The coronary artery is the main blood vessel that supplies oxygenated blood to the heart muscle. When the artery is narrowing due to the accumulation of plaques, fats and other substances that attach to the blood vessel wall, the blood flow to the heart becomes limited.

This condition can cause symptoms such as chest pain (angina) and, in more serious situations, heart attack.

With the installation of the stent, the narrow artery tract will be re -developed, thus allowing the blood to flow more smoothly to the heart muscle. This is important to reduce the risk of future heart attacks.

If the plaque breaks down and forms a blood clot that completely blocks the blood flow to certain parts of the heart, a heart attack can occur suddenly.

Therefore, the use of stents works not only as an emergency treatment, but also as a critical precaution in the management of coronary heart disease.

Who needs to be a heart steent

1. Patients with clogged arterial tract 70% or more

• This critical blockage prevents blood flow to the heart and can cause angina or heart attack.

2. Individuals with symptoms of coronary heart diseaselike:

• Pain Dada (angina)
• Shortness of breath while exercising or resting
• Extreme fatigue without clear cause

3. Patients who have been diagnosed with heart attacks (Heart Attack)

• Emergency installation of stents can restore blood flow to the heart muscle and reduce damage.

4. Those who do not respond well to drugs

• If the symptoms continue even after the drug treatment, the stent may be required.

5. Individuals who undergo an angiogram test and are found to have a dangerous blockage in the artery

• The test results will determine whether the stent is needed to launch blood flow.

6. Patients who want to reduce the risk of recurrent heart attack

• Stent is a permanent tool that helps keep the arteries open and prevents blockage.

Type of heart stent

There are three main types of heart stent, namely:

• A normal metal stent – A simple metal net tube without any drug coating.
• Stent coated medicine – coated with medicine that will be released gradually into the blood vessels. This helps prevent the artery from becoming narrow.
• Soluble Stent (Biodegradable) – a temporary stent that will dissolve or disappear on its own within a few months after installation.

How is Stent inserted?

Stents are inserted through a procedure that does not require major surgery, known as percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) or angioplasty. Here are the steps:

1. The doctor will insert a fine and flexible tube called catheter into the bloodstream, usually from the thighs or wrists.
2. At the end of this catheter is an empty balloon.
3. This catheter will be directed to the blood vessels that are clogged in the heart.
4. When it reaches a narrow place, the balloon will be expanded (with air) to open the clogged artery.
5. The stent will also expand with the balloon and then lock in place to keep the artery open.
6. Once the stent is installed, the balloon will be bent and pulled out, but the stent will remain in the artery permanently.
7. This helps regenerate blood flow to the heart and reduce the risk of heart attack.

Medication to be taken after the stent procedure

After the heart stent procedure, you will usually be given a blood vessel (antiplatelet) to prevent blood clotting in the stent.

This medicine is important to ensure that the stent -mounted arterial tract remains open, preventing platelets in the blood from clashing and forming blood clots.

The typical type of drugs given

1. Aspirin

• Almost all patients will take aspirin for the long term (lifetime) as a basic blood liquid.

2. P2Y12 Inhibitors (Additional Blood Drugs)

• Clopidogrel
• Ticlopidine
• Ticagrelor
• Prasugrel
• Cangrelor

The doctor will choose the right type according to your condition, including the risk of blood clotting and bleeding.

Combined therapy:

• If aspirin and P2Y12 inhibitors are taken together, it is recognized as a multiple antiplatelet therapy therapy.
• The duration you need to take both of these drugs depending on the reason for the stent is installed and your future health risk.

Important to remember:

• Do not stop the medication without the doctor’s instructions.
• Stopping the drug on its own, especially in the first few months after installation of stents, can cause blood clots to form in stents and can cause serious heart attacks.

Take your medicine as directed by a health professional to ensure the effectiveness of the treatment and prevent complications.

Also read: Not just fragrant, cinnamon bark helps lower sugar & protect your heart!

FAQ Stent Heart