I have heard the question of "after heart stent surgery, people are wasted?" countless times in my work in cardiology. Every time I hear such a question, I always patiently explain it, and at the same time I can't help but laugh in my heart – not at the patient's doubts, but at the widespread misconception. As a cardiologist, I would like to use this article to reveal the truth about cardiac stent surgery with my personal experience.
Let me share a story that is still fresh in my memory. Mr. Li, a 50-year-old middle-aged man, was rushed to our hospital by his family because of chest pain. At his initial visit, his face was filled with fear and uneasiness, fearing that his life was about to change drastically. After a series of tests, we found that he did need a heart stent.
"Doctor, do I have to do this surgery so I can't do anything?" I heard ......," Mr. Li asked nervously.
I smiled and comforted him: "Mr. Li, what you heard is a misunderstanding. In fact, this surgery will help you get back to your normal life, not the other way around. ”
After the surgery was successfully completed, Mr. Lee's recovery was unexpectedly good. A few months later, he came to the hospital again for a follow-up check-up, smiling. He told me that not only was he able to do his daily activities, but he was even able to start trying sports that he had never dared to do before.
"Doctor, I feel energized every day now, and I think I should have had this surgery sooner. Mr. Li's words validate my years of medical practice - heart stent surgery, for many people, is an opportunity to regain their quality of life.
Why is it a misconception that "if you are done, you will be wasted".
You may have heard the assertion that "once a heart stent is done, a person is wasted". As a cardiologist, I've heard this statement more often than I can't count. Today, I want to use my personal experience and scientific facts to tell you why this statement is a complete misunderstanding.
First of all, it is important to understand that cardiac stent surgery is a method used to treat coronary artery disease. To put it simply, when the heart's donor tract narrows and affects the blood supply to the heart, the doctor will surgically place a small metal mesh frame called a stent on the narrowed area to open the blood vessel and restore blood flow.
Frontal changes after stent surgery
Let's start by talking about the benefits of this surgery. I have seen countless patients who have experienced a tremendous improvement in their quality of life after stent surgery. The days of agony due to angina are gone, and they can enjoy life again and even participate in some light physical activities. This is far from the argument that "if you are done, you will be wasted".
Case sharing
For example, Mr. Zhang, a patient I once treated, felt chest pain after barely being able to walk a few steps before surgery. After the stent surgery, he not only walked freely, but also began to walk every day, and his quality of life was greatly improved. Mr. Zhang's example is not unique, and many patients have experienced similar transitions.
Sources of misconceptions
So, why is there a saying that "if you are done, you will be wasted"? This is mainly due to the misunderstanding and exaggerated fear of the opponent's postoperative recovery. Yes, any surgery has its risks, including infection, bleeding from the surgical site, etc. But these risks are manageable with modern medicine, and the vast majority of people survive the surgery and recovery period safely.
How to put stent surgery in perspective
It is important that we properly understand the significance of cardiac stent surgery. It is not the "end of life", but a chance to give patients a healthier and more active life. After the surgery, with a reasonable diet, proper exercise, and a regular life, the patient can completely return to a standard of living close to normal.
Why should cardiac stent surgery be phased out in China?
One of the most common questions I've had in my career as a cardiologist is about heart stent surgery. People often ask, "I heard that after stent surgery, people are wasted, is it true?" Or, "Why did I hear that cardiac stent surgery is going to be stopped in China now?" Let me take you through the full picture of the truth behind this.
First, cardiac stent surgery, scientifically known as percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), is a method used to treat coronary artery disease. When the blood vessels in the heart are narrowed and blood flow is affected, stents can help restore the patency of the blood vessels. This approach can both save lives and significantly improve the quality of life for patients. So why is there a saying that "if you are done, you will be wasted"? This is a complete misunderstanding. The success rate of stent surgery is high, and most patients can return to their normal lives after surgery and are even healthier than before.
So, why is cardiac stent surgery being phased out in China?
Actually, this statement is not accurate. Cardiac stent surgery has not been completely stopped in China, but with the progress of medical technology and the update of treatment concepts, the indications and use scenarios of cardiac stent surgery have been more strictly regulated. These changes are based on the following aspects:
1. Technological advancements and the development of alternative therapies
With the advancement of medical technology, new treatments such as drug-coated balloons and cardiac bypass surgery (CABG) are constantly emerging, providing patients with more options. These alternative therapies may have better outcomes and long-term benefits than traditional stent surgery in some cases.
2. Changes in medical policy and research directions
With the deepening of research on heart disease, the medical community has a clearer understanding of which patients really need cardiac stent surgery. For example, for some patients with stable coronary artery disease, similar or even better outcomes may be achieved with medication and lifestyle modifications.
3. Implications for patients
This change means that patients will receive a more personalized treatment plan. Depending on the patient's specific situation, the doctor will evaluate all possible treatments and choose the most beneficial option for the patient. This not only provides more precise treatment, but also avoids unnecessary medical expenses.
4. Prevention and management
What's more, modern medicine places more emphasis on the prevention and early management of diseases. Many heart diseases can be prevented through a healthy lifestyle, a sensible diet, moderate exercise, and control of blood pressure, blood sugar, and blood lipids.
Alternatives to stent surgery: new hope, new options
In the field of cardiac stent surgery, the misconception that "if you do it, you will be wasted" is deeply believed by some patients. However, with the rapid advancement of medical technology, not only has stent surgery become safer and more effective, but a variety of alternative therapies have emerged, bringing new hope and options to heart patients. Let's take a look at these alternatives and see how they can change the way heart disease is treated.
1. Pharmacotherapy
Medication has long been a cornerstone of heart disease management. Modern drug therapy can effectively control the symptoms of heart disease, improve the quality of life of patients, and slow the progression of the disease. For example, nitroglycerin, β-blockers, and calcium channel blockers, which are commonly used in patients with stable angina, can achieve the goal of controlling the disease by reducing the burden on the heart and improving the blood supply to the heart.
2. 经皮冠状动脉介入治疗（PCI）
Although cardiac stent placement itself is a type of PCI, with the advancement of technology, interventional treatment methods are constantly enriched. For example, balloon dilation does not necessarily accompany stent placement and is indicated for certain types of narrowing of blood vessels. In addition, innovative biodegradable stents offer more possibilities for future treatments, as they can be absorbed by the body after completing their tasks, reducing the risk of long-term complications.
3. 冠状动脉旁路移植术(CABG)
For patients with multivessel disease or severe narrowing of major arteries, coronary artery bypass grafting may be a better option. Normal blood flow is restored by transplanting blood vessels from a part of the body around the heart to bypass the narrowed or blocked part. Although CABG is a more complex and invasive procedure, it can provide a more durable solution for some patients.
4. Cell therapy and regenerative medicine
It is a promising area of research that aims to treat heart disease by stimulating the heart to repair itself. Although these therapies are currently mainly experimental, preliminary research suggests that cell transplantation can promote the repair and regeneration of damaged heart tissue, which could be a revolutionary advance in heart disease treatment in the future.
5. Lifestyle changes
It should not be overlooked that lifestyle changes are an important part of treatment for all patients with heart disease. Healthy eating habits, regular physical activity, quitting smoking, and limiting alcohol can significantly reduce the risk of heart disease and are essential for maintaining treatment and preventing recurrence.