Do we need stents if we see clogs in our hearts? Not always. In the setting of the ACUTE HEART attack, you will need an urgent treatment which requires a stent often. But in those people with stable symptoms, non-emergent, you don’t necessarily need a stent. It depends.
First, many plaques can be treated with aggressive medical and lifestyle therapy. We only consider stents when you have failed optimal medical therapy in a person with stable symptoms. Many people can be managed with medications and don’t need stents. Remember, stents do not make you live longer; they only make you feel better. If you have no symptoms, then why do you need a stent? If you have symptoms, such as chest pain or angina, lifestyle changes and medication are FIRST LINE. Stents should only be considered when people have symptoms despite optimal medical therapy and lifestyle changes or the symptoms become unstable. Just because you have a clog, doesn’t mean you need a stent.
