Stents are small, expandable tubes that are inserted into narrowed or blocked arteries to improve blood flow. They can have a significant positive impact on a patient's health and quality of life.
Positive Effects of Stents:
- Improved Blood Flow: The primary benefit of stents is their ability to open up narrowed or blocked arteries, allowing blood to flow more freely. This can relieve symptoms like chest pain (angina), shortness of breath, and fatigue.
- Reduced Risk of Heart Attack: By improving blood flow, stents can reduce the risk of a heart attack by preventing blood clots from forming in the narrowed artery.
- Improved Heart Function: Increased blood flow to the heart muscle can help improve its function and reduce the risk of heart failure.
- Reduced Need for Bypass Surgery: In some cases, stents can be an alternative to bypass surgery, a more invasive procedure.
- Improved Quality of Life: Stents can significantly improve a patient's quality of life by relieving symptoms and allowing them to participate in more activities.
How Stents Work:
Stents are typically inserted during a procedure called angioplasty. A thin, flexible tube called a catheter is inserted into an artery in the leg or arm and guided to the narrowed or blocked artery in the heart. The stent is then delivered through the catheter and expanded at the blockage site, pushing the artery walls open.
Types of Stents:
- Bare-metal stents: These are made of metal and do not have any medication coating.
- Drug-eluting stents: These stents are coated with medication that slowly releases into the artery, preventing the artery from narrowing again.
Important Considerations:
While stents offer many benefits, it is important to note that they are not a cure for heart disease. Patients who have received stents still need to follow a healthy lifestyle, including:
- Eating a healthy diet
- Exercising regularly
- Taking prescribed medications
- Managing stress
