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Q: Can the Stent change its position or slip from the place where it was deployed after it is implanted?

No. The stent is implanted into the artery firmly with a balloon at high pressure. Moreover, after a few weeks, the stent gets covered by the lining of the artery and becomes a part of the artery so there is no chance of the stent moving from its place.

Q: Does a stent rust in the body since it’s made of steel?

The material that is used to manufacture a stent is a special type of medical grade steel which is a rust proof material. This does not rust inside the body.

Q: Can a Stent get deformed by putting pressure on the chest externally or will it pinch the heart or other organs around it?

The heart is inside the chest cavity and no amount of pressure externally will reach the stent deployed inside the artery. The stent is placed inside the artery and as such gets covered by lining of the artery and hence can never pinch or prick any other part of the body.

Q: Can I go through an X-Ray or CT Scan or MRI Post stenting?

An X-Ray or CT Scan can be done any time. An MRI can be done one month after the procedure.

Q: Will the presence of the Metallic Stent inside the artery cause the security or metal alarm go off during airport security checks?

No

Q: I have heard that the stent can get blocked again after angioplasty. What are the chances of that and how can I avoid that?

Angioplasty is not the cure for Coronary Artery Disease and hence the chance of forming a new block or the stent getting blocked does exist. The chance of this happening depends upon multiple factors like the risk factors, the lesion(block) morphology, the intensity of disease etc. and hence will vary from patient to patient. However what can be confidently said is that the control of risk factors post angioplasty definitely reduces the chance of a new block formation or restenosis.

Q: Can I lead healthy normal life again?

There is an excellent chance of leading a healthy life as you were doing pre angioplasty. Most people are back to their earlier lifestyle within weeks or a month or so depending on the damage done to the heart by the Coronary Artery Disease. All that you need to do is make a few modifications in your lifestyle in terms of Diet, Exercise etc which will help you become normal much faster and prevent Re-blockage.

Q: Can I get Coronary Artery Disease again?

Angioplasty is not a cure for Coronary Artery Disease so a new blockage may develop at some other site. No one can say whether one can get Coronary Artery Disease again or not. But, if all the controllable risk factors mentioned like High Blood Pressure, Diabetes, Smoking, High Blood Cholesterol, obesity etc. are controlled, the chances for recurrence are less likely.

Q: At what percentage level of narrowing should an angioplasty be done and can it be done in 100% blocked arteries?

A blockage more than 50 to 70% should be angioplastied. Arteries with 100% blockage can also be opened by Angioplasty but the procedure in this case is a bit more complex to perform. Your doctor is best person to decide which blockages need to be opened by Angioplasty and which need some alternative modes of management.

Q: I feel absolutely fine. Why should I worry about Blood Pressure?

A Lot of patients have symptoms of high blood pressure, but a lot others do not know about this until the doctor checks it. Unchecked it may damage the organs in the body without the patient realizing it. No wonder it is also called as the silent killer. Uncontrolled blood pressure increases the chance of Restenosis in patients who have undergone an Angioplasty.

Q: How would I know if I were having a heart attack?'

These is an uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness, or pain in the center of the chest that lasts more than a few minutes, or goes away and comes back; discomfort in other areas of the upper body, which may be felt in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw, or stomach; shortness of breath, which often occurs with or before chest discomfort; and other symptoms such as breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea, or light-headedness. If you think you are experiencing any of these symptons, call for emergency help immediately.

Q: What is angina and how is it different from a heart attack?

An episode of angina is NOT a heart attack. However, people with angina report having a hard time telling the difference between angina symptoms and heart attack symptoms. Angina is a recurring pain or discomfort in the chest that happens when some part of the heart does not receive enough blood temporarily. A person may notice it during exertion (such as in climbing stairs). It is usually relieved within a few minutes by resting or by taking prescribed angina medicine. People who have been diagnosed with angina have a greater risk of a heart attack than do other people.

Q: I’d rather wait until I’m sure something’s really wrong. What’s the rush anyway?

Clot-busting drugs and other artery-opening treatments work best when given within the first hour after a heart attack starts. The first hour also is the most risky time during a heart attack–it’s when your heart might stop suddenly. Responding fast to your symptoms dramatically increases your chance of surviving.

Q: So how quickly should I act?

If you have any heart attack symptoms, call your doctor immediately.

Q: I carry nitroglycerin pills all the time for my heart condition. If I have heart attack symptoms, shouldn’t I try them first?

Yes, if your doctor has prescribed nitroglycerin pills, you should follow your doctor’s orders. If you are not sure about how to take your nitroglycerin when you get chest pain, check with your doctor.

Q: What are the major risk factors for heart disease?

The major risk factors for heart disease are smoking, high cholesterol levels, high blood pressure, physical inactivity, obesity, diabetes, age, gender, and heredity (including race).

Q: What is high blood pressure and how is it treated?

High blood pressure results from the tightening of very small arteries (arterioles) that regulate the blood flow through your body. As these arterioles tighten (or constrict), your heart has to work harder to pump blood through the smaller space, and the pressure inside the vessels grows.

Q: What is cholesterol and why is it so important?

Cholesterol is a fat-like substance (lipid) found in all body cells. Your liver makes all of the cholesterol your body needs to form cell membranes and make certain hormones. Extra cholesterol enters your body when you eat foods that come from animals (meats, eggs, and dairy products). We should limit foods high in cholesterol or saturated fat. Foods rich in saturated fat include butter fat in milk products, fat from red meat, and tropical oils such as coconut oil. Cholesterol travels to cells through the bloodstream in special carriers called lipoproteins. Two of the most important lipoproteins are low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and highdensity lipoprotein (HDL).

Q: What is atherosclerosis?

It is a disease cause by the accumulation of plaque that thickens and hardens in the vessel wall of large and small arteries.

Q: What is coronary bypass surgery?

Open-heart surgery in which the rib cage is opened and a section of a blood vessel is grafted from the aorta to the coronary artery to bypass the blocked section of the coronary artery and improve the blood supply to the heart.

Q: What is a pacemaker and how does it work?

A pacemaker is a surgically implanted device that helps to regulate your heartbeat. Pacemakers use batteries to produce electrical impulses that make the heart pump. The impulses flow through tiny wires (called leads) that are attached to the heart. The impulses are timed to flow at regular intervals.

Q: What is congestive heart failure?

Heart failure means your heart is not pumping as well as it should to deliver oxygen-rich blood to your body's cells. Congestive heart failure (CHF) happens when the heart's weak pumping action causes a buildup of fluid (called congestion) in your lungs and other body tissues. CHF usually develops slowly. You may go for years without symptoms, and the symptoms tend to get worse with time. This slow onset and progression of CHF is caused by your heart's own efforts to deal with its gradual weakening. Your heart tries to make up for this weakening by enlarging and by forcing itself to pump faster to move more blood through your body.

Q: What does the term "enlarged heart" mean?

An enlarged heart means the heart is larger than normal due to heredity, or disorders and diseases such as obesity, high blood pressure, and viral illnesses. Sometimes doctors do not know what makes the heart enlarge.

Q: What is a thallium stress test?

A stress test is a common test that doctors use to diagnose coronary artery disease. The test helps doctors see how the heart is working. A thallium stress test is a nuclear study in which a radioactive substance is injected into your bloodstream to show how blood flows through your arteries. Doctors can see if parts of the heart muscle are damaged or dead, or if there is a serious narrowing in an artery.

Q: What is an aneurysm and how is it treated?

An aneurysm is a balloon-like bulge in a blood vessel that can affect any large vessel in your body. An aneurysm happens when the pressure of blood passing through part of a weak blood vessel forces the vessel to bulge outward, forming what you might think of as a thin-skinned blister. Not all aneurysms are life threatening, but those found in the arteries in our bodies often need to be treated. If the bulging stretches the artery too far, this vessel may burst, causing a person to bleed to death.