Stents: What to Expect Before and After

Getting a stent can feel like a big deal, but most people recover quickly if they know what to do. A stent keeps a narrowed artery open after angioplasty. It’s a small metal or drug-coated mesh that acts like a scaffold so blood can flow more easily. Sounds simple, but the follow-up matters more than the procedure itself.

Types of stents and why they matter

There are two main types: bare-metal stents (BMS) and drug-eluting stents (DES). BMS are a plain metal scaffold. DES release medicine slowly to lower the chance the artery closes again. DES are common now because they cut restenosis rates, but they usually mean longer antiplatelet therapy. Your cardiologist will choose the right one based on your artery, bleeding risk, and other health issues.

Access matters too. Most procedures use the radial artery in the wrist; it heals faster and lets you move sooner. Some patients still need the femoral (groin) approach; that can mean a few more hours of bed rest after the procedure.

Medications: what you’ll likely need

After a stent, doctors usually prescribe antiplatelet drugs to stop clots forming inside the stent. Common combinations include aspirin plus clopidogrel (Plavix) or newer options. For drug-eluting stents, dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) often lasts 6–12 months, though your doctor might adjust that shorter or longer based on bleeding risk and the exact stent used. If you’re already on warfarin (Coumadin) for another condition, your care team will tailor the plan because combining anticoagulants and antiplatelets raises bleeding risk.

Never stop antiplatelet drugs on your own. Stopping early raises the risk of stent thrombosis, which can cause a heart attack. If you worry about side effects or cost, call your cardiology team before making changes. We have deeper reads on Plavix and Coumadin on this site if you want more detail.

Other meds you’ll commonly see: statins to lower cholesterol, blood-pressure meds if needed, and diabetes control drugs when appropriate. These help the stent last longer by treating the disease that put you there in the first place.

Practical recovery tips

Take your meds exactly as prescribed. Keep the access site clean and dry for 24–48 hours. Don’t lift heavy objects or do strenuous exercise for a few days, especially if you had femoral access. Walk gently the day after to lower clot risk but avoid anything that strains your chest or groin.

Quit smoking, eat a heart-healthy diet, control blood pressure and blood sugar, and keep cholesterol low. These changes matter more than the stent itself—stents fix one spot, but lifestyle controls future problems.

When to call your doctor

Call right away for chest pain that’s new or worse, sudden shortness of breath, fainting, or heavy bleeding from the access site. Also report fever, increasing redness or swelling at the puncture site, or signs of unusual bruising while on blood thinners.

Want a deeper look? Read our pieces on blood thinners, Plavix, and anticoagulants to see how medications fit around stent care. If you’re facing a stent decision, bring a list of your meds and bleeding history to your appointment—those details shape the safest plan for you.