What Is a Stent?

High blood pressure (hypertension) increases the risk of cardiovascular disease. In particular, high blood pressure increases the risk of atherosclerosis, which is the narrowing of the arteries due to plaque buildup (the buildup of fatty deposits and other substances).

When an artery is too narrow, you may need a stent placed. A stent is a small tube made of wire mesh that helps prop open the artery to help increase blood flow to the heart. This treatment can help decrease the risk of a heart attack.

Stent placement requires minimally invasive surgery, which means the surgeon will not have to open the chest or make a major incision. Instead, the stent is placed using a long, narrow tube called a catheter.