Cardiology is the medical specialty focused on the heart and the cardiovascular system. It involves the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of conditions affecting the heart and blood vessels. These conditions include coronary artery disease, heart failure, arrhythmias (irregular heartbeats), and valve disorders. The field covers a broad spectrum, from congenital heart defects present at birth to acquired conditions like heart attacks.
Send us all your questions or requests, and our expert team will assist you.
This stage is the moment where technology meets biology to restore your health. The procedure is precise, relatively quick, and has a very high success rate. Understanding exactly what happens in the operating room and the days following can significantly reduce anxiety.
This section covers the treatment phase in detail. We will walk through the step-by-step process of implanting the stent, from the balloon inflation to the final check. We will also discuss the immediate recovery in the hospital, managing any post-procedure discomfort, and the critical rehabilitation phase where you begin to rebuild your strength and confidence. This procedure is the bridge from illness back to wellness.
The transition from diagnosis to treatment happens seamlessly. If the doctor sees a blockage on the angiogram that needs fixing, they keep the catheter in place and switch to the treatment equipment. The team will let you know they are proceeding with the stent.
A specialized wire, thinner than a strand of hair, is threaded through the catheter and across the blockage. This wire acts as a rail. The stent, which is crimped tightly onto a deflated balloon, rides along this wire until it is perfectly positioned inside the narrowed section of the artery.
Since the catheter is already in place from the diagnostic part of the exam, you don’t need new numbing or a new incision. The doctor simply swaps out the tools through the existing sheath (the short tube at the entry point in your wrist or groin).
You continue to receive sedation to keep you calm. The medical team monitors your vital signs constantly—heart rate, blood pressure, and oxygen levels—to ensure you are safe and comfortable throughout the work.
This is the critical moment. The doctor inflates the balloon. You might feel a brief, mild chest discomfort or a “stretching” sensation while the balloon is up. This reaction is normal and happens because the balloon is temporarily blocking blood flow while it expands the stent.
The balloon inflates for typically 30 seconds to a minute. It pushes the plaque against the wall and expands the metal mesh stent. Once the stent is locked against the artery wall, the balloon is deflated. The chest discomfort usually disappears immediately. The balloon and wire are removed, but the stent stays behind to hold the vessel open.
After the procedure, the catheter is removed. If the wrist was used, a compression band is placed around it to stop bleeding. If the groin was used, a doctor or nurse will apply firm pressure for about 15 minutes or use a special closure device to seal the small hole in the artery.
You will be moved to a recovery unit. This is a quiet area where nurses watch you closely. If you had a groin procedure, you must lie flat for several hours to ensure the artery heals without bleeding. If you After having a wrist procedure, patients can usually sit up in a chair much sooner. You will be encouraged to drink water to help your kidneys flush out the contrast dye.
Recovery from a stent procedure is generally not very painful. You do not have a large surgical incision to heal. The most common complaint is soreness or bruising at the puncture site (wrist or groin). The wound can feel like a deep bruise and might be tender for a few days.
Some patients feel a little groggy from the sedation. Mild chest discomfort can occur, but it should not feel like the angina pain you had before. Over-the-counter pain relievers are usually enough to manage the soreness at the entry site, but always ask your doctor before taking anything.
Medication is arguably the most important part of your recovery. Having a metal object in your artery carries a risk: the blood sees the metal as foreign and might try to form a clot on it. A clot in the stent can cause a sudden heart attack. To prevent this, you need “blood thinners.”
Specifically, you will need anti-platelet medicines. Platelets are the sticky blood cells that form clots. These drugs make the platelets slippery so they slide past the stent without sticking.
Almost all stent patients are prescribed two types of blood thinners: aspirin and a second, stronger drug (like clopidogrel, ticagrelor, or prasugrel). This combination is called Dual Antiplatelet Therapy (DAPT).
You typically take the aspirin for life and the second drug for a specific period—usually 6 to 12 months, depending on the type of stent and your bleeding risk. It is absolutely vital that you do not miss a single dose. Stopping these drugs early is the number one cause of stent failure.
Because your blood is thinner, you will bruise more easily. A small bump might leave a large purple mark. You might bleed longer if you cut yourself shaving. is a sign the medicine is working.
However, if you have nosebleeds that won’t stop, blood in your urine or stool, or large unexplained bruises, you should call your doctor. Do not stop the medicine on your own; call the office for advice.
Most patients go home the same day or the next morning. For the first week, your goal is to let the puncture site heal. You should avoid lifting anything heavier than a gallon of milk. Avoid strenuous exercise or straining.
Walking is beneficial. Start with short walks around your house. You can usually shower 24 hours after the procedure, but avoid baths, swimming pools, or hot tubs for a week to keep the wound dry and prevent infection. You can generally return to office work or light duties within a few days to a week.
Your doctor strongly recommends cardiac rehab. This is a structured, medically supervised program designed to help you recover. It is not just a gym; it is a school for heart health.
In rehab, you will exercise while wearing a heart monitor, so you know exactly how much you can push yourself safely. You will attend classes on nutrition, stress management, and understanding your medications. It provides a safe environment to regain trust in your body.
Send us all your questions or requests, and our expert team will assist you.
No. The inside of your arteries has no nerve endings that can feel touch or pressure. Once the procedure is over, you will not feel the stent at all.
You usually need to wait at least 24 to 48 hours to ensure the sedation has fully worn off and the puncture site is stable. If you had a heart attack, the waiting period might be longer (a week or more) to ensure your condition is stable.
Do not double up.
No. Just like airport scanners, store security gates will not detect a stent. It contains a tiny amount of metal that is not magnetic enough to trigger alarms.
Most modern drug-eluting stents are “MRI conditional,” meaning they are safe for MRI scans under certain conditions immediately after placement. However, you must tell the MRI technician you have a stent so they can adjust the machine settings if needed
When a coronary artery stent is placed, patients often wonder if they’ll feel better right away. We understand that undergoing a heart stent procedure can
If you’ve been told you need a heart stent, you’re probably wondering how long does it take to put a stent in and what the
Having an angioplasty and stent placement can change your life. But, many people go back to their usual activities after it. Over 500,000 angioplasty procedures
At Liv Hospital, we know how vital it is to understand how long a heart stent will last. A heart stent is a permanent fix
Having a stent placed is a major step toward better heart health, and managing your recovery properly is essential. At Liv Hospital, we emphasize the
Knowing your life expectancy after stent implantation is key for those who’ve had a quadruple bypass. Many things affect your outlook, like your health, age,
Your Comparison List (you must select at least 2 packages)
