When Is Stenting Necessary?

Blocked arteries don't always announce their presence with dramatic symptoms. Sometimes, they silently restrict blood flow until problems arise that might require stenting as a solution.

Stenting isn’t the first option for everyone with vascular issues. At Advanced Cardiovascular Care, Inc. in Riverside, California, board-certified cardiologist Syed W. Bokhari, MD, FACC, FSVM, helps patients determine when this minimally invasive procedure is necessary.

Pain and discomfort are warning signs you shouldn't ignore

Your arteries naturally narrow over time. Plaque — a mixture of cholesterol, fat, calcium, and cellular waste — accumulates along vessel walls, restricting blood flow to vital organs.

These blockages can occur throughout your body, from coronary arteries feeding your heart to peripheral vessels in your legs and in carotid arteries.

When blockages build up, symptoms can develop, including:

Chest pain during activity
Difficulty walking without leg pain
Stroke

These symptoms indicate your body isn't getting adequate blood supply.

Medications aren’t working? Stenting could be your solution

While lifestyle changes and medications effectively manage mild to moderate blockages, nonsurgical solutions aren’t enough for many patients.

Stenting becomes necessary when:

Blockages exceed 70% of the artery’s diameter
Symptoms persist despite optimal medical therapy
Heart attack or unstable angina (chest pain) occurs

Emergencies require immediate blood flow restoration to prevent permanent tissue damage.

When do you need immediate intervention?

Certain symptoms demand immediate attention and often require stenting:

Chest pain radiating to your jaw, shoulder, or arm
Sudden weakness or numbness on one side
Severe, unexplained dizziness with other cardiovascular symptoms
Consistent leg pain during activity that improves with rest

These symptoms suggest advanced blockages that may require intervention beyond medication alone.

An hour or so for a long-lasting relief

The stenting procedure takes 30-60 minutes. Dr. Bokhari threads a catheter through a blood vessel, typically starting in your groin or wrist. Using real-time imaging, he guides the catheter to the blockage, uses a balloon to widen the narrowed area, then places a stent to keep it open.

The procedure typically requires only local anesthesia and sedation. Most patients return home within 24 hours and resume normal activities within days, though you can expect to take blood-thinning medications afterward.

Life with a stent requires ongoing care

Stenting isn’t a cure for arterial disease; it’s a treatment for a specific blockage. Maintaining heart health remains essential through:

Eating healthy and exercising
Consistent adherence to medications
Regular follow-up appointments
Continued lifestyle modifications
Monitoring for recurring symptoms

Many patients report immediate symptom relief after stenting, with improved energy and exercise tolerance. However, without addressing underlying factors, new blockages can form elsewhere.

Get the help you need before your symptoms worsen. Early intervention means less invasive treatments and better outcomes. Speak with Dr. Bokhari as soon as possible to determine whether stenting is your path to relief.

Call Advanced Cardiovascular Care, Inc., today or book an appointment online to learn more.