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Important Considerations After Coronary Stent Placement Surgery

Important Considerations After Coronary Stent Placement Surgery

Currently, the incidence of coronary heart disease continues to rise. The coronary stents implantation procedure, which began over 20 years ago, provides a safe and convenient minimally invasive method for the treatment of coronary reperfusion, with precise therapeutic effects that can be considered revolutionary. However, while the installation of a coronary artery stent solves the problem of vascular recanalization, it also brings about some other problems as the implanted stent is a foreign body. For example, the incidence of thrombosis may increase, so corresponding treatment changes are necessary. The following discusses what to pay attention to after installing a heart stent.


Limit vigorous exercise within three months after coronary stents placement surgery


Within three months after the installation of a coronary stent, avoid vigorous exercise as much as possible. After the stent is installed, the vascular endothelium at the edge of the stent will proliferate to cover the stent. Before the stent is covered with the endothelium, reduce physical activity as much as possible, and avoid activities such as swimming or running.


Continued control of risk factors after coronary stents placement surgery


Do not stop medications that control the risk factors for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. Some people think that everything can be stopped after a coronary stent is installed, but this is a serious mistake that can cause disease recurrence, worsening, and even life-threatening situations.


Blood pressure, blood sugar, blood lipids, uric acid, homocysteine, and weight, all of which are risk factors for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, need to continue to be controlled.


Continue treatment for coronary artery sclerosis after coronary stents placement surgery


If a doctor has prescribed medication that needs to be taken long-term, such as antiplatelet aggregation drugs (such as aspirin), β-blockers (such as metoprolol and bisoprolol), or statins (such as atorvastatin and rosuvastatin), even if blood lipids are not high, statins must continue to be taken, and the reduction in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL) should be more than 50%.


For patients with myocardial infarction or heart failure, doctors have used angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (such as captopril, benazepril, and perindopril) or angiotensin receptor blockers (such as losartan, valsartan, and candesartan), which cannot be stopped even if blood pressure is not high, unless the blood pressure drops to an intolerable level.


Timely treatment should be provided for ischemic symptoms after coronary stents placement surgery


If there are symptoms of chest tightness and chest pain, seek medical attention promptly. The probability of ischemia is relatively high, which can be caused by spasms or restenosis inside the stent or thrombosis inside the coronary artery stent. Nitroglycerin tablets, which can be placed under the tongue, can be used to alleviate symptoms.


Establishing a healthy lifestyle after coronary stents placement surgery


Continue with non-drug therapy as the foundation, and get rid of bad habits, especially smoking. Pay attention to a low-salt, low-fat diet, maintain a reasonable and adequate amount of sleep, reduce stress from daily life and work, control emotions, and engage in regular exercise.


Regular follow-up appointments as per medical advice after coronary stents placement surgery


Follow medical advice for timely follow-up appointments. Generally, a follow-up appointment is required after 1 month and 3 months, and then every 3 months to check whether any problems have occurred, including restenosis, whether treatment goals have been met, including low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and heart rate, whether risk factors are being controlled, and whether medication needs to be adjusted.