Cardiologist Questions Heart Attack

Would I need stents after a heart attack?

I'm 45 and heart issues run in my family. My father died of a heart attack, actually. If I ever were to get a heart attack, would I have to get stents after it?

2 Answers

If the heart attack was due to blockages in coronary arteries, then stents may help.
If you have a significant blockage that is STILL causing ISCHEMIA (i.e., angina or other signs of reduced blood flow through a particular blocked coronary artery), you may well need a stent and/or anti-ischemia medication (i.e., medicine that improves coronary blood flow and reduces the likelihood of having a blood clot at the site of the coronary blockage).