Heart stents: common misunderstandings and maintenance methods

Author: Zhang Yiwen, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University

Wang Jingzhi The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University

Reviewer: Zhi Jixin, Chief Physician, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University

Many people have misunderstandings about heart stents, thinking that once a heart stent is installed, their life will be severely restricted. However, in fact, heart stents are not that scary. Their function is to save lives and help the heart restore normal blood flow. Today we will talk about common misunderstandings about heart stents to help you correctly understand heart stents.

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Myth 1: You cannot move after stent surgery, and stents may fall off due to strenuous exercise

The heart stent has strong supporting force and is firmly integrated with the coronary artery without collapsing or falling off.

Many patients feel a heavy psychological burden after stent implantation, worrying that the stent is not firmly stuck in the blood vessel. They mistakenly believe that exercise or chest beating will cause the stent to move, which leads them to be cautious in all activities in life.

In fact, stent implantation is not simply supporting the blood vessels, but using high pressure to embed the stent tightly in the coronary artery wall. It is much stronger than we think. Generally, the stent can be completely embedded in the blood vessel wall 3 to 6 months after the operation. Even if there are intense activities, sudden changes in body position, and severe coughing, the stent will not be displaced or fall off. The coronary artery wall covered by the stent is like a reinforced concrete wall, and the two are integrated.

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For patients with heart stent implants, appropriate physical labor and exercise are beneficial for controlling weight, improving cardiopulmonary function, and regulating blood lipid metabolism. If physical conditions permit, exercise should be started as soon as possible. Aerobic exercise (such as brisk walking, jogging, swimming, cycling, Tai Chi, etc.) is recommended. The intensity of exercise should be gradual and within one's ability. It is advisable to feel energetic and free of fatigue and other discomfort the next day after exercise. If symptoms such as palpitations, shortness of breath, chest tightness, and fatigue occur during exercise, stop exercising immediately and seek medical attention in time.

Myth 2: Coronary heart disease can be completely cured by placing a heart stent

At present, coronary heart disease is still a chronic progressive disease that cannot be completely cured. Stent implantation cannot completely cure coronary heart disease, but it only solves the problem of coronary artery stenosis, restores myocardial blood supply, and saves lives.

Some patients feel that their coronary heart disease has been cured after stent surgery, so they can rest assured and not take coronary heart disease seriously. This is very dangerous.

A stent is like a car and needs maintenance. If the stent is well maintained, it may benefit you for life. Otherwise, restenosis or thrombosis may occur in the stent, requiring a second surgery. The following points need to be met for stent maintenance:

1. Take medicine regularly as prescribed by your doctor

Drug therapy is the cornerstone of treating coronary heart disease. Once coronary heart disease is diagnosed, patients must take medication for life, regardless of whether they have stents implanted. Long-term regular medication can not only reduce the risk of restenosis in the stent, but also delay the progression of the disease, reduce the possibility of acute cardiovascular events and re-implantation of stents.

2. Regular follow-up visits

If the patient does not experience any discomfort, he or she is generally required to undergo a follow-up examination 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, 1 year after stent implantation, and once a year thereafter; in daily life, if the patient has chest pain, chest tightness, or other suspected heart disease symptoms, he or she should go to the hospital for a follow-up examination at any time. Routine follow-up examinations include blood sugar, blood lipids, liver and kidney function, creatine kinase, electrolytes, electrocardiogram, cardiac color Doppler ultrasound, etc. At the same time, the patient should monitor blood pressure, blood sugar, and heart rate at home to keep them stable.

3. Actively improve your lifestyle

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It mainly includes: quitting smoking and limiting alcohol consumption, adjusting diet, controlling weight, and exercising regularly.

A balanced diet is essential, not only to lay a good foundation for good health, but also to control risk factors. The general principle is to have a variety of foods, increase the intake of coarse grains, whole grains, fresh fruits and vegetables; increase high-quality protein, reduce the intake of high-fat foods, etc. The total calories of the diet should be controlled, and low-fat and high-protein foods should be chosen as much as possible, and the intake of refined sugars such as snacks and beverages should be limited. It is recommended to control oil and salt, eat a light diet, and eat more vegetables and low-sugar fruits. At the same time, insist on appropriate exercise every day to enhance the myocardial ability to cope with ischemia.

4. Maintain a healthy and optimistic attitude

Many patients will feel nervous and anxious after having a heart stent implanted. If they feel uncomfortable, they will think that there is something wrong with the stent. In fact, occasional mild chest discomfort will not affect normal activities and can be relieved appropriately by diverting attention. This may be caused by psychological factors, not heart symptoms. If you are overly worried, you can go to the hospital for treatment, and eliminate doubts through specialist examinations and effective communication with the doctor. Don't let anxiety affect your daily life and affect your recovery after surgery.