The heart is a complex system of four chambers and muscles that help to pump blood throughout the body. A clogged artery will cause a variety of issues and risks to the patient's health. Fortunately, we can help to treat it. A coronary stent is a small mesh medical device that can help to repair a clogged artery, open up a narrow artery and allow blood to flow more freely.
Coronary stents are available at Florida Premier Cardiology in Delray Beach and the surrounding area. Coronary stent placement is done using cardiac catheterization. Implanting a coronary stent in a narrow artery compresses the plaque and creates space for blood to circulate.
If you need to have coronary stent placement, call us at 561-325-6495 and schedule an appointment today.
Clogged arteries, also called atherosclerosis, can lead to problems such as becoming out of breath, heart pain (angina) and even heart attack. If you have cardiovascular disease and need an artery widened right away, a coronary stent may be able to help provide the treatment you need.
Not everyone with cardiovascular disease will benefit from having a stent implanted. However, if you have atherosclerosis, a stent may be one of your treatment options. Dr. Rodolfo Carrillo-Jimenez, MD, FACC will typically order and analyze several tests before recommending a coronary stent. The tests can include:
Many people reduce their risk of heart attack by making lifestyle changes and taking medication that their doctors have prescribed. Others require more invasive procedures, such as bypass surgery. Follow your cardiologist's personalized recommendations to lower your risk of a heart attack.
The process for placing a coronary stent may involve using a cardiac catheter. A catheter is a thin tube that we insert into your artery. The cardiologist will use the catheter to insert the stent, which is made of wire mesh and is open on both ends. A tiny, deflated balloon will be inside the closed stent.
When the stent is in the appropriate place, we will inflate the balloon which opens the stent. The balloon will push the stent into the proper place in the artery. Deflating and removing the balloon will leave the stent in place to support the now unblocked artery. You can expect a reasonably brief recovery time after having a stent implanted.
Many patients can leave the hospital within 24 hours of having the catheter removed. Depending on how well you are recovering and feeling, you may not need to be off work for more than a week. After a coronary stent procedure, it is crucial to follow any instructions we give. These instructions can include getting proper rest and taking any medication as directed.
In addition to medicine that we may prescribe for cardiovascular disease, you will probably be sent home with additional prescriptions to minimize any possible complications. It is common to prescribe aspirin or another type of anti-clotting drug after coronary stent placement. Our team will oversee your follow-up care and let you know if you need to take other steps toward recovery.
Stents are not necessarily better or more effective than other treatments for clogged arteries. To determine if a stent is the most effective treatment option depends on many factors, including the stage of cardiovascular disease. Your cardiologist can only determine if a stent is right for you after examining you and studying your medical history.
Having a coronary stent placed is less invasive than having bypass surgery. The recovery time is also significantly faster. However, if you have multiple narrowed arteries, a bypass may be your only option. As a cardiologist, Dr. Rodolfo Carrillo-Jimenez, MD, FACC, may not feel that you need bypass surgery and may instead recommend a procedure involving cardiac catheterization.
In this case, having a stent placed tends to be more effective than angioplasty (the catheter and balloon method of widening arteries) alone. This is especially true of some types of stents that release medication.
Our team of professionals is committed to helping you get on the road to recovery. Your treatment plan for cardiovascular disease may include lifestyle changes, such as diet and exercise, as well as medication and surgery. No matter what type of therapy you begin, we are here to support you and get you as healthy as possible.
Call us at 561-325-6495 today to schedule a comprehensive exam and determine whether a coronary stent is the right treatment for you.
Florida Premier Cardiology is located at
5210 Linton Blvd Suite 301
Delray Beach, FL
33484