A stent is a small tube made of metal or plastic that is placed inside an artery or another passage in the body to help keep it open.
In heart care, stents are most often used in the coronary arteries, which supply blood to the heart. If these arteries become narrowed or blocked by fatty deposits, blood flow to the heart can be reduced, leading to chest pain or even a heart attack.
By placing a stent inside the artery, doctors can restore normal blood flow. The stent acts like a scaffold, holding the artery open and reducing the chance of it closing again.
Stents are used to treat narrowed or blocked arteries caused by coronary heart disease. Over time, fatty deposits known as plaque can build up inside the artery walls, making them hard and narrow. This process is called atherosclerosis. When this happens in the coronary arteries, the heart muscle does not get enough oxygen-rich blood, causing symptoms such as angina.
If left untreated, the blockage can lead to a heart attack. Stents are a common and effective way of opening up arteries to restore blood supply and reduce the risk of serious problems.
The procedure is called angioplasty with stent placement. It is usually carried out in a hospital’s catheterisation laboratory by a cardiologist. A thin tube called a catheter is inserted into an artery, often through the wrist or groin, and guided to the heart.
At the tip of the catheter is a tiny balloon with the stent around it. When the balloon is inflated, it pushes the plaque against the artery wall and expands the stent. The balloon is then deflated and removed, leaving the stent in place to hold the artery open. The procedure normally takes between 30 minutes and 2 hours, depending on how many arteries are treated.
The procedure is not painful because local anaesthetic is used at the catheter site, and patients are usually given medicine to help them relax. Some people feel a bit of pressure in the chest when the balloon is inflated, but this only lasts a few seconds. After the procedure, there may be mild soreness or bruising where the catheter was inserted, but this usually improves quickly.
Most stents are made of a special metal mesh, often stainless steel or cobalt-chromium. These are designed to be strong but flexible enough to fit inside an artery. Some stents are bare metal, while others are coated with a medicine that slowly releases into the artery wall. These are called drug-eluting stents and help reduce the risk of the artery becoming narrow again.
Once in place, stents are designed to be permanent. The artery wall usually grows around the stent, making it part of the blood vessel. However, in some cases, the artery can become narrow again inside the stent. This is known as restenosis. Drug-eluting stents reduce the chances of this happening compared to bare-metal stents.
Stent procedures are very common and generally safe, but like all medical treatments, they carry some risks. Possible complications include bleeding at the catheter site, damage to the artery, or an allergic reaction to the dye used in the procedure. Rarely, the artery can close up again or a blood clot can form inside the stent.
To reduce risks, patients are usually prescribed medicines such as aspirin and other blood thinners for several months after the procedure. These help stop clots from forming inside the stent.
After the procedure, patients are taken to a recovery area for monitoring. Most people stay in hospital overnight and go home the next day. They are advised to avoid heavy lifting or strenuous activity for about a week.
Follow-up appointments with a cardiologist are important to check progress. Patients are usually advised to keep taking prescribed medicines, eat a heart-healthy diet, exercise regularly, and stop smoking if they do. These steps help protect the stent and reduce the risk of further heart problems.
Many people feel a big improvement in symptoms such as chest pain or breathlessness soon after the procedure. Quality of life often improves because blood flow to the heart is restored. Most people return to normal activities within a week or two.
Long-term, having a stent is a reminder that lifestyle changes are important. Stents treat the blockage, but they do not cure the underlying heart disease. Eating well, exercising, and taking medicines as advised are all crucial for long-term heart health.
Yes, depending on the severity and location of the blockage. Medicines such as nitrates, beta-blockers, or statins can sometimes control symptoms without surgery. Another option is coronary artery bypass surgery, where new routes are created for blood to flow around blockages. This is usually recommended when there are multiple or severe blockages that cannot be treated with stents alone.
In some cases, newer treatments such as rotablation may be used before stenting to prepare the artery if the blockage is very hard or calcified.
In the UK, stents are widely available on the NHS for people who need them. They are commonly used in emergencies, such as during a heart attack, as well as for planned procedures to treat angina. Private treatment may be faster and offer more flexibility in choosing a hospital, but the procedure itself is essentially the same.
No, you cannot feel the stent once it is in place. It becomes part of the artery wall and does not cause any sensation. Some people worry about having a piece of metal in their body, but stents are designed to be completely safe and long-lasting.
A stent is a small tube placed inside an artery to help keep it open and restore normal blood flow. It is most often used in the coronary arteries of the heart to treat blockages caused by coronary heart disease. Stents are safe, effective, and improve symptoms like chest pain and breathlessness.
While stents work well, they do not cure the underlying disease, so lifestyle changes and medicines remain important for long-term health. With proper care, stents can last for decades and give people the chance to live longer, healthier lives.
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