Be Our Partner! Book a Free Consultation Now! Become a Member > Get Involved >
Health Conditions > Health Articles > Find a Practitioner > Events >

Home  /  Health Conditions  /  Stents (Heart, Artery & Other Stents)

Stents (Heart, Artery & Other Stents)

A stent is a small mesh tube that holds open a narrowed artery or other passage. Most people think of the heart, but stents are also used in the neck, legs, kidneys, bile ducts and ureters. A stent treats a blockage; it does not cure the disease behind it, and the antiplatelet medicine that goes with an artery stent must never be stopped without your cardiologist.

Having a stent does not remove the risk of a heart attack or stroke. If you have a coronary or carotid stent, you are still at risk, so learn the warning signs and call 911 if you or someone else needs help (NHLBI).

Heart attack signs — call 911 right away: chest pain, heaviness or discomfort in the center or left side of the chest; pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, shoulders, neck, jaw or above the belly button; shortness of breath; sweating a lot for no reason; unusual tiredness; nausea or vomiting; light-headedness or sudden dizziness; or a rapid or irregular heartbeat. Call even if you are not sure, do not drive yourself, and never delay calling to take aspirin or try anything else (NHLBI). New chest pain after a stent can mean a blood clot or a re-narrowing in the stent, and either can lead to a heart attack (NHLBI).

Stroke signs — call 911: sudden confusion or trouble speaking or understanding speech; sudden numbness or weakness, especially on one side of the body; sudden severe headache with no known cause; sudden trouble seeing; sudden trouble walking, dizziness or loss of balance. Think F.A.S.T.: Face drooping, Arm drifting down, Speech slurred, Time to call 911 (NHLBI). See our Stroke guide.

Never stop your antiplatelet or blood thinner on your own. After an artery stent you will need antiplatelet medicine to keep blood clots from forming, and your risk of a clot in the stent is much higher if you stop before your provider says to (NHLBI). If a dentist or surgeon tells you to stop, or if side effects worry you, call the cardiologist who placed the stent first.

Bleeding is the other danger of these medicines. Call your doctor right away for bleeding that is unexplained, very heavy or won’t stop; black, tarry or bloody stools; vomit that is bloody or looks like coffee grounds; pink or brown urine; or coughing up blood (MedlinePlus, MedlinePlus). The NHS (UK) says to get emergency help for wound bleeding that doesn’t stop after 10 minutes of pressure, or coldness or numbness in the leg or arm where the catheter went in (NHS).

Never wait for a chiropractic, acupuncture or massage appointment — or try an herb — for any of these signs.

What is a stent?

A stent is a small mesh tube that is typically used to hold open passages in the body, such as weak or narrowed blood vessels. Stents can be made of metal mesh, fabric, silicone or combinations of materials. Placing one is a minimally invasive procedure: it does not need a large, open incision and is not considered major surgery (NHLBI).

This guide focuses on living well with a heart (coronary) stent, then looks briefly at other stents below. For the bigger picture, see our Heart guide; for devices that regulate the heartbeat, see our pacemaker and device guide.

A stent is a treatment, not a cure. It cannot cure the underlying condition, which is why routine medical care continues (NHLBI). After angioplasty you still need any prescribed medicines, healthy foods and regular exercise (MedlinePlus).

Why people get a stent — and when they may not

  • Coronary heart disease: stents are often used for narrowed coronary arteries, where low blood flow can cause chest pain and heart damage (NHLBI). Doctors use angioplasty to reduce chest pain from blockages, and as an emergency treatment to limit damage during or right after a heart attack (MedlinePlus). The NHS says angioplasty can raise your chances of surviving a heart attack more than clot-busting medicine and can lower the chance of another heart attack (NHS).
  • Carotid artery disease: plaque in the neck arteries raises stroke risk, and a stent can hold the artery open and restore normal blood flow to the brain (NHLBI).
  • Peripheral artery disease: stents can treat narrowed arteries in the legs, arms or abdomen and relieve symptoms (NHLBI). See our circulation guide.
  • Other uses: stent grafts support a weak part of the aorta in an aneurysm, and airway stents hold open narrowed airways in the lungs (NHLBI). See our aneurysm guide.

A stent is not always the answer. NHLBI says an artery stent may not be recommended if your condition is mild, if you cannot take antiplatelet medicine for as long as needed afterward, or if you have several narrowed coronary arteries, long-standing kidney disease or diabetes, in which case bypass surgery may be suggested instead (NHLBI). Ask your cardiologist why a stent, bypass surgery or medicine alone is being recommended for you.

Types of coronary stents

  • Bare-metal stents are simple metal mesh tubes (NHLBI). Their biggest drawback is that the artery sometimes narrows again, because the immune system treats the stent as a foreign body, causing swelling and excess tissue growth (NHS).
  • Drug-eluting stents are the most common type used in the coronary arteries. The metal mesh has an outer layer coated with medicine that is released into the artery over time to help prevent re-narrowing, and in some the coating is biodegradable (NHLBI). The NHS adds a trade-off: the coating also delays healing of the artery around the stent, so it is vitally important to keep taking blood-thinning treatment for up to a year afterward (NHS).

Before the procedure, the NHS suggests discussing the benefits and risks of each type with your cardiologist (NHS).

What happens during and right after the procedure

A thin tube (catheter) carrying a stent and an empty balloon is threaded through a blood vessel to the narrowed artery. The balloon is inflated to open the stent against the artery wall, then emptied and removed with the catheter, leaving the stent in place (NHLBI). For a coronary stent, MedlinePlus says you are awake and get medicine to help you relax (MedlinePlus). The NHS says it usually takes 30 minutes to 2 hours, and people treated for angina can usually go home the same or next day (NHS).

Before the procedure, tell your provider about all your medicines and conditions, and follow instructions on if and when to start or stop any medicine rather than guessing (NHLBI). Recovery is usually quick: most people resume normal activity and return to work within a few days to a week, when their provider says it is okay (NHLBI). A bruise where the catheter went in is common and may be sore for a few days (NHS).

Risks

Risks include allergic reaction to the contrast dye, an irregular heartbeat, bleeding where the catheter went in, damage to blood vessels, infection and, rarely, kidney damage from the dye. Life-threatening problems are rare, but people with heart failure, kidney disease or diabetes, or who have had other procedures for blocked arteries, are at higher risk of serious complications such as heart attack or stroke (NHLBI). The NHS says risk depends on age, general health and whether the procedure was planned or an emergency (NHS).

Living with a stent: clots, re-narrowing and follow-up

Two problems are worth knowing by name (NHLBI):

  • A blood clot in the stent. Clots can lead to life-threatening conditions such as heart attack or stroke, and the risk is much higher if you stop your blood thinner before your provider says to.
  • Restenosis is a re-narrowing of the artery where the stent is, caused by too much tissue growth inside it. With a coronary stent it can lead to a heart attack, and with a carotid stent to a stroke. It may or may not cause symptoms, and if it happens you may need a new stent or another procedure.

Ask how often you should have office visits and tests, and when to follow up with your cardiologist (NHLBI). MedlinePlus lists narrowing again among the possible problems after angioplasty (MedlinePlus).

When to see a doctor: keep every follow-up visit, take your medicines exactly as prescribed, and tell your cardiologist about new chest discomfort, shortness of breath, unusual bruising or any bleeding. Do not change your medicine or skip doses unless your provider tells you to (NHLBI). Ask your care team to explain, in writing, which medicines you take, for how long, and who to call with questions.

Side by side

Six approaches compared

For every condition we look at the same six approaches: what each involves, what it typically costs, and what a patient can realistically expect.

ApproachWhat it involves Estimated costWhat to expect
Conventional medicine (AMA) Your interventional cardiologist places the stent. Afterward: antiplatelet medicine, other heart medicines as prescribed, follow-up visits, cardiac rehab and heart-healthy habits. For re-narrowing, a new stent, another procedure or bypass surgery. Medicare Part B covers cardiac rehab after a coronary stent (20% of the Medicare-approved amount after the deductible). Other costs: being researched. A stent can relieve chest pain and, in a heart attack, limit damage, but it does not cure the underlying disease. Antiplatelet medicine is needed for months to a year or longer; never stop it without your cardiologist.
Chiropractic No role in treating the artery or the stent. May help back or neck pain once a doctor has ruled out the heart. About $55 to $100 per follow-up visit paying cash, per The Pricer. Medicare covers only certain spinal adjustments. Chest, arm, jaw or upper-back pain after a stent is never a muscle problem until a doctor says so. Neck manipulation carries a rare, debated artery-tear risk; ask your cardiologist first.
Acupuncture Studied mainly as electroacupuncture during the stent procedure in small trials, not as a way to keep a stent open. About $90 to $185 per follow-up visit paying cash, per The Pricer; community clinics about $50 to $90. Medicare covers acupuncture only for chronic low back pain. Two small 2026 trials found less angina or chest pain around the procedure; the authors call the results preliminary. Never a substitute for medicine or emergency care.
Herbal medicine Mostly a safety question: many herbs affect bleeding or clopidogrel. A Chinese patent medicine, Tongxinluo, has been studied after heart attack in China. Cost estimate being researched. No supplement replaces antiplatelet medicine. Garlic, ginkgo, St. John’s wort, danshen and others can change bleeding risk or drug levels. Show every product to your cardiologist or pharmacist.
Massage therapy Gentle, relaxing massage for comfort and stress once the catheter site has healed and your heart condition is stable. One national chain: about $70 to $90 a month on a 12-month membership, per The Pricer. We found little research on massage after a stent. Risks appear low but bruising is a concern on antiplatelet medicine. Check with your cardiologist first.
MBHA Wellness Coach Life’s Essential 8: heart-healthy eating, activity, quitting tobacco, sleep, weight, cholesterol, blood sugar and blood pressure — plus stress, mood, a medicine routine and keeping your stent card. Cost estimate being researched. Supports — never replaces — your cardiologist, your medicines and cardiac rehab. Small, steady changes add up.

Approach 1 of 6

Conventional medicine (AMA)

Treatment starts with your interventional cardiologist, who decides whether a stent is the right choice and which type to use (NHS). After the procedure, care centers on medicines, follow-up, rehab and lifestyle.

1. Antiplatelet medicine

This is the most important part of life with an artery stent. See Antiplatelet medicine after a stent below for the classes, the bleeding warning signs and why you never stop on your own.

2. Other heart medicines

Depending on your health, your provider may also prescribe medicines such as ACE inhibitors, which lower blood pressure and make it easier for the heart to pump; beta blockers; and statins, which control or lower blood cholesterol (NHLBI). We don’t list doses. See our blood pressure and cholesterol guides.

3. Follow-up and imaging

Ask how often to schedule office visits and tests. If you have a stent graft in the aorta, you may need regular imaging for the rest of your life to check that it is not leaking or moving (NHLBI).

4. If the artery narrows again

You may need a new stent or another procedure (NHLBI). The NHS says that if your artery becomes blocked again and angina returns, you may need another angioplasty or bypass surgery (NHS).

5. Cardiac rehabilitation

One of the best-supported steps after a stent — see Cardiac rehabilitation after a stent below, including what Medicare covers.

What it costs

Medicare Part B covers cardiac rehab after a coronary angioplasty or stent; see below. Other costs: cost estimate being researched.

Find a medical doctor in our directory

Approach 2 of 6

Chiropractic

Chiropractic care has no role in keeping a stent open or treating the artery disease behind it. We searched PubMed for chiropractic care and coronary stents and found only one report, describing two patients with coronary artery disease who came to a chiropractic clinic with what looked like musculoskeletal symptoms (thoracic spine pain on exertion in one, acute chest pain in the other). Both were sent to a medical physician, diagnosed with coronary artery disease and later had angioplasty with stenting (Larson, 2016). A two-patient report cannot tell us how often this happens, but it is a reminder.

Check the heart first. Chest, arm, jaw, shoulder or upper-back pain should never be assumed to be a muscle or joint problem; heart attack pain can show up in those places (NHLBI). Have new pain checked medically, and call 911 for warning signs.

Safety: neck manipulation has been linked to rare tears in the neck arteries that can lead to a stroke, though experts disagree about whether manipulation causes them, and the likelihood of serious side effects may be greater in people with underlying health problems (NCCIH). We did not find a source we could open that addresses neck manipulation after a carotid stent, so ask your vascular doctor before any neck work. NCCIH advises telling a chiropractor about your health conditions and medications (NCCIH); MBHA suggests also mentioning your stent and any antiplatelet or blood thinner.

What it costs

About $55 to $100 for a self-pay follow-up visit, and about $90 to $200 for a first appointment (The Pricer). Medicare Part B covers only spinal adjustments by a chiropractor to correct a subluxation, and you pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount after the deductible (Medicare.gov).

Find a chiropractor in our directory

Approach 3 of 6

Acupuncture

We found little research on acupuncture for people with stents, and none showing that it keeps a stent open or replaces antiplatelet medicine. What we found is small and focuses on electroacupuncture (needles with a mild electrical current) given during the stent procedure.

  • 2026 trial, 120 people with angina having a stent procedure: electroacupuncture at two points (Neiguan and Ximen), versus sham stimulation at non-acupoints, gave lower pain scores during the procedure and lower troponin T (a marker of heart-muscle injury) 24 hours later; CK-MB did not differ and adverse events were similar. The authors call the findings preliminary and ask for larger, multi-center trials (Liang et al., 2026).
  • 2026 pilot trial, 60 people having a stent procedure during a heart attack in China: slow or absent blood flow after the stent (“slow flow/no-reflow”) occurred in 2 of 30 people given electroacupuncture versus 8 of 30 given the procedure alone, with lower pain and anxiety scores and no adverse events reported. The control group had no sham needles, so the authors say non-specific effects cannot be ruled out and call for larger sham-controlled trials (Wei et al., 2026).

So there is an early signal that electroacupuncture around the procedure may ease pain and protect the heart, but nothing that changes your long-term plan. These treatments are given by the cardiac team in a hospital, not at a clinic after you go home.

Safety: NCCIH says relatively few complications have been reported, mostly from non-sterile needles or poor technique (NCCIH). In a Taiwanese study of more than 13 million acupuncture sessions, anticoagulants (warfarin, direct oral anticoagulants and heparin) raised the risk of bleeding afterward, while antiplatelet drugs were not significantly associated with it (Hsieh et al., 2023). Tell your acupuncturist about every antiplatelet and blood thinner you take, and about your stent.

What it costs

About $90 to $185 for a follow-up visit and $125 to $230 for a first private visit; community clinics charge about $50 to $90 (The Pricer). Medicare Part B covers acupuncture only for chronic low back pain (Medicare.gov), so it would not be covered for a stent.

Find an acupuncturist in our directory

Approach 4 of 6

Herbal medicine

For people with a stent, the main issue with herbs and supplements is safety: some change how well bleeding is controlled or how much of a heart medicine reaches the blood, and none has been shown to replace antiplatelet medicine.

Products that can interact or change bleeding

  • St. John’s wort can interact in dangerous, sometimes life-threatening ways with many medicines, including some heart medicines and the blood thinner warfarin (NCCIH). A review of herbal medicines and platelet function also found that St. John’s wort interacted with clopidogrel and danshen with aspirin (McEwen, 2015).
  • Garlic supplements may increase the risk of bleeding, which matters if you take aspirin or an anticoagulant or are going to have surgery (NCCIH). The same review listed feverfew, ginger, ginseng, motherwort, St. John’s wort and willow bark among herbs found to reduce platelet aggregation (McEwen, 2015).
  • Ginkgo may raise bleeding risk in people on anticoagulants such as warfarin, and NCCIH says research suggests it is not helpful for preventing heart disease (NCCIH).
  • Traditional Chinese herbs with clopidogrel: a literature review found that some, such as danshen, can lower clopidogrel’s effect on platelets, while others, such as danggui, can lengthen bleeding time (Hu et al., 2019).
  • Over-the-counter medicines too: MedlinePlus says omeprazole, esomeprazole, aspirin and NSAIDs such as ibuprofen or naproxen may interact with clopidogrel, and not to start any of them without talking to your provider (MedlinePlus).

Chinese patent medicine after heart attack: Tongxinluo

  • A 2015 Cochrane review of 16 studies (1,063 people) of Tong-xin-luo capsules after a stent procedure found low-quality evidence of fewer re-narrowings, heart attacks and repeat procedures, but 15 of the 16 studies were at high risk of bias and the authors called for high-quality trials (Cochrane review, 2015). A 2012 review of 52 trials of 34 Chinese herbal medicines for preventing re-narrowing reached a similar guarded conclusion, citing poor methodological quality (Zheng et al., 2012).
  • The 2023 CTS-AMI trial gave Tongxinluo or a placebo to 3,777 people in China having a severe type of heart attack (STEMI), on top of standard treatment. Major cardiac and brain events at 30 days were lower with Tongxinluo (3.4% versus 5.2%), with no significant difference in major bleeding or in-stent clots, though more adverse drug reactions, mainly stomach and bowel symptoms. The authors say more research is needed (Yang et al., 2023).

We did not find a source we could open on whether Tongxinluo is sold or regulated in the United States, so ask your cardiologist before importing or trying any such product. It was studied in addition to standard medicine, never instead of it.

Never stop or cut back an antiplatelet to take a supplement. Supplements can interact with medicines and may increase bleeding risk around surgery (NCCIH). NCCIH also notes the FDA has found prescription drugs, including the anticoagulant warfarin, in products sold as dietary supplements (NCCIH). Show every product to your cardiologist or pharmacist. We don’t list doses here. See also our medication safety guide.

What it costs

Cost estimate being researched.

Approach 5 of 6

Massage therapy

We found little research on massage for people with stents; our PubMed search for massage after stent procedures returned results on other topics. Massage will not keep a stent open, but gentle, relaxing massage can still be a comfort once your heart condition is stable and the catheter site has healed.

Safety: NCCIH says the risk of harm from massage appears low, but rare blood clots, nerve injuries and broken bones have been reported, sometimes with vigorous deep-tissue massage or in older adults (NCCIH). Antiplatelet medicine makes you bruise and bleed more easily (MedlinePlus), and the NHS notes a bruise where the catheter went in may be sore for a few days (NHS). As a precaution, MBHA suggests choosing light to moderate pressure rather than deep tissue work; avoiding the wrist or groin catheter site until it has healed; telling your therapist about your stent and medicines; and checking with your cardiologist first, especially after a recent heart attack.

What it costs

One national chain (Massage Envy) charges about $70 to $90 a month on a 12-month membership (The Pricer). Independent therapists: cost estimate being researched.

Find a massage therapist in our directory

Approach 6 of 6

MBHA Wellness Coach

An MBHA Wellness Coach can help you build the daily habits behind a healthier artery — alongside, never instead of, your cardiologist, your medicines and cardiac rehab.

Life’s Essential 8

The American Heart Association scores heart health in eight areas: diet, physical activity, nicotine exposure, sleep health, body mass index, blood lipids (cholesterol), blood glucose and blood pressure (AHA presidential advisory, 2022). A coach can help you pick one to start with.

Heart-healthy eating

A heart-healthy plan builds on vegetables, fruits, whole grains, low-fat dairy, fish, lean meats, nuts, seeds, beans and healthy oils, and limits sodium, saturated fat, added sugars and alcohol. Your doctor may suggest the DASH eating plan, which has been proven to lower high blood pressure and LDL cholesterol (NHLBI). See our Weight Control guide if weight is part of your plan.

Move more — with your cardiologist’s OK

Talk with your provider before starting a new exercise plan and ask what amount and type are safe for you. The federal guidelines NHLBI cites recommend adults get at least 150 to 300 minutes a week of moderate-intensity aerobic activity, or 75 to 150 minutes of vigorous activity, and any activity is better than none (NHLBI). Ask your care team how long to wait before returning to normal activity, since it depends on the stent and your health beforehand (NHLBI). In a pooled analysis of randomized trials with 1,231 people, exercise-based rehab after a stent procedure was linked to less angina, fewer arrhythmias and less re-narrowing (Li et al., 2024).

Quit tobacco

Smoking can raise your risk of heart disease and heart attack. NHLBI also says to talk with your provider if you vape, since nicotine and flavorings in vaping products can damage the heart and lungs (NHLBI). The CDC lists free, confidential coaching through a quitline at 1-800-QUIT-NOW, and says counseling and medicine together give the best chance of quitting for good (CDC). See our Smoking guide.

Stress, sleep and mood

Stress can contribute to high blood pressure, and an upsetting event can trigger angina or a heart attack in some people; ask your provider which stress-relief activities are safe for you (NHLBI). After a heart event you may worry about another one or feel depressed; living with heart disease can bring fear, anxiety, depression and stress. Talk about it with your care team, who may suggest a counselor or a patient support group, and treatment can improve your quality of life (NHLBI, NHLBI). See our depression and anxiety guides.

A medicine and stent-card routine

Take all medicines as instructed, and if it is hard to get them or finish cardiac rehab, tell your doctor (NHLBI). A coach can help with pill organizers, refill reminders and a written list of your medicines. The FDA suggests bringing an implant card to an MRI so staff can identify your device (FDA); ask your hospital for one and keep it in your wallet.

Another approach

Antiplatelet medicine after a stent

Antiplatelet medicines keep platelets (a type of blood cell) from collecting and forming clots (MedlinePlus). After an artery stent they protect the stent from clotting. NHLBI says antiplatelet medicines include aspirin, clopidogrel, dipyridamole and ticlopidine, and that you may need them for more than a month after a carotid or peripheral artery stent, or for more than a year after a coronary stent (NHLBI). Combining two antiplatelet medicines is often called dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT). We never give doses; your cardiologist chooses the medicines, the combination and the length of treatment for you.

What to know about each class

  • Aspirin is used to prevent heart attacks and strokes and belongs to a group of medicines called salicylates (MedlinePlus). The NHS (UK) says most people with a coronary stent take aspirin for life, with a second medicine alongside it for a shorter time (NHS).
  • Clopidogrel is the usual second medicine in the NHS (UK) teaching, taken for between 1 and 12 months depending on the type of stent or whether you had a heart attack (NHS). MedlinePlus says to continue it even if you feel well, not to stop without talking to your doctor, and that stopping too soon with a stent can raise the risk of a clot forming in the stent (MedlinePlus).
  • Prasugrel and ticagrelor are used as alternatives after a heart attack (NHS). MedlinePlus says to take ticagrelor exactly as directed, not to stop without talking to your doctor, and that stopping with a stent can raise the risk of a clot in the stent; your doctor may tell you to take a low dose of aspirin with it and not to add other aspirin products on your own (MedlinePlus). For prasugrel it says you will probably need aspirin too, and not to stop without talking to your doctor (MedlinePlus).
  • If you also take an anticoagulant (a blood thinner that prevents clots from forming), both kinds of medicine can cause bleeding problems (NHLBI). Your cardiologist decides the combination; never adjust it yourself.

How long? It depends — ask, don’t guess

The right length of dual therapy varies. A 2019 network meta-analysis of 17 trials (46,864 people) with drug-eluting stents found that longer dual therapy meant more major bleeding than short courses, with no noticeable difference in several other outcomes, and concluded that short-term DAPT could be considered for most people while personal clotting and bleeding risks should guide the choice (Yin et al., 2019). A 2024 analysis of six trials (more than 23,000 people) found that switching to a single drug after a short course of dual therapy did not increase ischemic events and caused less major bleeding than 12 months of dual therapy, especially in people with acute coronary syndrome (Valgimigli et al., 2024). These are a reason to ask your cardiologist whether your plan could be shortened, not a reason to stop on your own.

Bleeding and warning signs

You will probably bruise and bleed more easily and for longer than usual, and may have nosebleeds (MedlinePlus). Call your doctor immediately for black and tarry stools or red blood in stools, bloody vomit or vomit that looks like coffee grounds, unusual bleeding or bruising, or pink or brown urine; and for slow or difficult speech, weakness or numbness of an arm or leg, changes in vision or confusion, which can be stroke signs (MedlinePlus). Call 911 for stroke or heart attack signs.

What it costs

Cost estimate being researched.

Another approach

Dental work, surgery and MRI

Tell every dentist and surgeon about your stent

MedlinePlus says that if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, you should tell the doctor or dentist you take clopidogrel, ticagrelor or prasugrel. For clopidogrel it says your doctor may tell you to stop at least 5 days before surgery to avoid excess bleeding, and will say when to restart; for ticagrelor, probably at least 5 days before; for prasugrel, probably at least 7 days before (MedlinePlus, MedlinePlus, MedlinePlus). Those are the prescriber’s decisions, not yours: NHLBI warns that bleeding can make any other needed surgery much riskier, and that the clot risk is much higher if you stop a blood thinner before your provider says to (NHLBI). The safest plan is for your surgeon or dentist to talk with your cardiologist before any change, and to know when your stent was placed. MBHA suggests scheduling non-urgent procedures with that conversation in mind.

Dental work: in a prospective study of 643 people needing tooth extractions, including 111 on aspirin, clopidogrel or both, bleeding immediately afterward lasted longer in people on dual therapy, but all of it was controlled with local measures and no one had late bleeding. The authors concluded that extractions can be done safely on single or dual antiplatelet therapy with appropriate local measures, avoiding the clot risk of pausing the medicine (Lillis et al., 2011). That was an observational study of extractions; your dentist and cardiologist decide what is right for your procedure. A Teeth guide is planned.

Supplements before surgery: NCCIH says some dietary supplements may increase bleeding risk or affect your response to anesthesia, and to tell your providers about all supplements as far ahead of an operation as possible (NCCIH).

MRI and other imaging

The FDA says to tell the MRI technologist or radiologist about any implanted medical devices, such as stents, and to answer the screening questionnaire accurately. The team must make sure the device can safely enter the MRI environment. Some devices are MR Safe or MR Conditional, meaning they can be used safely under specific conditions, and if you have an implant card, bring it (FDA). We did not find a source we could open that gives a general rule for how long after placement an MRI is allowed, so do not assume either way: ask your cardiologist and the imaging team, and tell them the type of stent and when it was placed. See our Metal Implants guide.

What it costs

Cost estimate being researched.

Another approach

Cardiac rehabilitation after a stent

Cardiac rehab is a medically supervised program that combines exercise training, education about heart-healthy living and counseling to reduce stress and help you return to an active life (NHLBI).

Why it matters

  • A 2021 Cochrane review of 85 trials (23,430 people with coronary heart disease, including people after a stent procedure) found that exercise-based cardiac rehab reduces heart attacks and hospital admissions over 6 to 12 months, likely gives a slight reduction in deaths from any cause, and probably improves quality of life (Dibben et al., 2021).
  • NHLBI says rehab can improve your health and quality of life, reduce the need for medicines for chest pain, lower the chance you will need to return to the hospital for a heart problem and help prevent future heart problems. Serious problems from the exercise are very rare (NHLBI).
  • Ask for a referral before you leave the hospital; the NHS says rehab should be offered after a heart operation, with a session within about 4 to 8 weeks of leaving hospital (NHS).

What Medicare covers

Medicare Part B covers regular and intensive cardiac rehabilitation if you have had a coronary angioplasty or coronary stenting, among other qualifying conditions such as a heart attack in the last 12 months or bypass surgery (Medicare.gov). NHLBI says Medicare and most insurance plans cover a standard program of 36 supervised sessions over 12 weeks (NHLBI).

What it costs

  • Medicare: in a doctor’s office you pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount after the Part B deductible; in a hospital outpatient setting you also pay the hospital a copayment (Medicare.gov).
  • Without Medicare: cost estimate being researched.

Another approach

Other stents: carotid, peripheral, kidney, ureter and bile duct

The same idea is used in several parts of the body. Here is a brief map; your own specialist is the best source for details.

Carotid artery stents (neck)

Plaque in the carotid arteries can cause a stroke, and carotid disease often causes no symptoms until the narrowing is severe; a mini-stroke (TIA) or stroke can be the first sign. Treatments include lifestyle changes, medicines, surgery to remove the plaque, or angioplasty with a stent (MedlinePlus). During carotid stenting, blood flow is usually blocked temporarily so that pieces of plaque do not reach the brain (NHLBI). A stent may be less suitable for people over 70 or at high risk of stroke (NHLBI). Antiplatelet medicine is generally needed for more than a month, and restenosis can cause a stroke (NHLBI). Know the stroke signs above.

Peripheral artery stents (legs, arms, abdomen)

For narrowed arteries outside the heart and brain, angioplasty may use a small mesh tube to reduce the chances that the artery will narrow again (NHLBI). The antiplatelet advice above applies. See our circulation guide.

Kidney (renal artery) stents

In renal artery stenosis, one or both of the arteries that carry blood to the kidneys narrow. NIDDK says angioplasty with stenting may be used, that people whose narrowing comes from a condition called fibromuscular dysplasia may be treated with angioplasty alone, and that angioplasty with stenting has a better outcome for narrowing caused by atherosclerosis. Lifestyle changes and medicines come first; the page adds that recent studies have not shown better outcomes with surgery than with medication for narrowing caused by atherosclerosis, and that procedures may be recommended for narrowing caused by fibromuscular dysplasia or that does not improve with medication (NIDDK). See our kidney guide.

Ureteral stents (kidney to bladder)

This is a different kind of stent: a thin, flexible tube that is sometimes left in the urinary tract after kidney-stone procedures to help urine flow or a stone pass (NIDDK). A 2026 systematic review of 32 studies (4,373 people) found stent-related problems remain common, that stents were most commonly left in for 10 to 14 days in uncomplicated cases, and that longer stays were linked to more encrustation and harder removal (Katsimperis et al., 2026). A European urology review found no single stent design better in every situation (Guldibi et al., 2026). Ask your urologist when and how the stent will come out, and which symptoms need an urgent call.

Biliary stents (bile ducts)

When a cancer blocks the flow of bile in the bile duct, a gastroenterologist can use a flexible tube with a camera (an endoscope) to place a stent that keeps the duct open (National Cancer Institute). A 2026 meta-analysis of nine studies (890 people) comparing metal and plastic bile duct stents found similar success, fewer repeat blockages with metal stents, and more adverse events with metal stents in malignant disease; the authors note large differences between studies (Malik et al., 2026). See our pancreas guide.

Aortic and airway stents

Stent grafts treat aortic aneurysms and may need lifelong imaging to check for leaks or movement; airway stents are usually temporary, and warning symptoms include breathing problems, a changed cough, coughing up blood, high fever and persistent bad breath (NHLBI).

What it costs

Cost estimate being researched.

Member stories

Living with Stents (Heart, Artery & Other Stents)? Share your experience

Real experiences help others choose. Tell us what you tried — conventional medicine, chiropractic, acupuncture, herbs, massage or coaching — what it cost and what changed.

No stories have been published for this condition yet. Yours could be the first.

Which approaches have you tried?

What did you try, what did it cost, and what changed for you? Please leave out anything you’d rather keep private.

We read every story before it’s published and may shorten it. Stories describe one person’s experience; results vary. See our Privacy Policy.

Sources

This page is for education only and is not medical advice. Costs are typical U.S. ranges and estimates; yours will depend on your provider, location and insurance. Talk with your doctor before starting, stopping or combining any treatment. In an emergency, call 911. See our disclaimer.

Find the right practitioner

Search MBHA’s Health Directory for doctors, chiropractors, acupuncturists and massage therapists across the Monterey Bay.

Search the Directory All Health Conditions

The Monterey Bay Holistic Alliance is a charitable, independent registered nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization and does not endorse any particular products or practices. Claims and statements herein are for informational purposes only and have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. We strongly recommend that you seek out your trusted medical doctor or practitioner for diagnosis and treatment of any existing health condition. MBHA provides administrative support, education and navigation — not medical, legal or tax advice — and cannot guarantee claim, billing or fundraising outcomes. MBHA is not an emergency service: in an emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.