Stent Placement: What It Is and What to Expect
Medically reviewed by Achuta Uppu, MD, Internal Medicine. Last reviewed: October 23, 2026.
What kind of doctor provides Stent Placement?
A cardiologist, a heart specialist, usually places a stent in a heart artery. A stent is a tiny tube placed into a hollow part of your body. A direct primary care or concierge doctor can be a first stop for an evaluation and can refer you to a specialist when needed.
What it is
A stent can be placed in an artery, a vein, or the tube that carries urine. The stent holds that part open.
The next details are about stents placed in the heart arteries.
A coronary artery stent is a small metal mesh tube that expands inside a coronary artery. A stent is often placed during or right after angioplasty. Angioplasty is a procedure to open narrowed or blocked blood vessels that supply blood to the heart. A drug-eluting stent has medicine in it. The medicine helps keep the artery from closing. It is left permanently in the artery.
Why a doctor might recommend it
Most of the time, stents are used when arteries become narrow or blocked.
In the heart, angioplasty with a stent may be used for these problems.
- A blockage in a heart artery during or after a heart attack
- Narrowing that cuts blood flow and causes lasting chest pain that medicines do not control
Not every blockage can or needs to be treated with angioplasty. Some people who have several blockages may need coronary bypass surgery.
How to prepare
If you are admitted to the hospital for it, these steps may apply.
- Tell your provider about all medicines and herbs you take, even ones you bought without a prescription.
- You will most often be asked not to eat or drink for 6 to 8 hours before.
- Tell your provider if you are allergic to seafood or have had a bad reaction to contrast material or iodine.
What happens during it
You will be awake during the procedure. You get pain medicine, medicine to help you relax, and blood-thinning medicine to prevent a blood clot. The doctor puts a flexible tube, called a catheter, into an artery. Live x-ray pictures guide the catheter to your heart. The balloon on the end of the catheter is inflated. This opens the blocked vessel and restores blood flow to the heart. The stent goes in along with the balloon catheter. It expands when the balloon is inflated. The stent is left there to help keep the artery open.
Recovery
The average hospital stay is 2 days or less. In general, people can walk around within a few hours. Most people can return to their usual activities after a week. Your doctor will probably prescribe medicines to prevent blood clots.
Angioplasty does not cure the cause of the blockage. Your arteries may become narrow again. A heart-healthy diet, exercise, not smoking, and less stress can lower your chance of another blocked artery.
Call 911 or go to the emergency room if you have chest pain or discomfort lasting two minutes or more, trouble breathing, fainting, or bleeding that will not stop.
Risks and side effects
The risks of a stent depend on the part of the body being treated. Ask your doctor about the possible complications.
Possible complications include these.
- Bleeding or infection
- The stent moving from where it was placed
- Blood clots, or the need for another procedure
For a heart stent, risks also include these.
- An allergic reaction to the drug in a drug-eluting stent, the stent material (very rare), or the x-ray dye
- Bleeding or clotting where the catheter went in
- The stent can clog up again, which can be life threatening
- Heart attack
Who performs it
A cardiologist, a heart specialist, usually performs a heart stent procedure.
Common questions
Does a stent cure blocked arteries?
No, angioplasty does not cure coronary artery disease. To help prevent more plaque blockages, you need to take any prescribed medicines, eat healthy foods, and get regular exercise.
Are stents only used in the heart?
No, a stent can also be placed in a vein or in the tube that carries urine. Stents can also keep bile flowing in blocked bile ducts.
How does a direct primary care or concierge doctor fit in?
A direct primary care doctor charges a flat monthly fee instead of billing insurance, while a concierge doctor usually charges more and often works alongside insurance. A direct primary care or concierge doctor can be a first stop for an evaluation and can refer you to a specialist when needed.
Sources
Medical Disclaimer
This content is for general educational and informational purposes only and is not medical advice. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and reading it does not create a doctor-patient relationship. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions about a medical condition, and never disregard or delay seeking professional advice because of something you read here. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call 911 (or your local emergency number) immediately.
