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  • Q&A with Australian Health Practitioners

    Will a stent prevent heart attacks?

    Related Topic
    Angina & Heart Attack
    My father will be having surgery to insert a stent. Will this prevent him from having a heart attack in the future?
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    • A/Prof John Amerena
    • Dr George Touma
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    A/Prof John Amerena

    Cardiologist (Heart Specialist)

    Dr John Amerena trained in Melbourne, followed by four years in the United States at the University of Michigan. Over that period of time he … View Profile

    A stent will not prevent a heart attack. It's never been shown that inserting a stent actually increases a person's lifespan or reduces the risk of having a heart attack by itself. A stent will restore blood flow to a part of the heart that is being starved of blood, but it will not actually prevent a heart attack.
    The main strategies to prevent heart attacks are reduce cholesterol, reduce blood pressure, control diabetes, and stop smoking.

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    Dr George Touma

    Cardiologist (Heart Specialist)

    Dr George Touma is an Australian trained Cardiologist with dual training in medicine and pharmacy. He has undergone sub-specialised training in interventional cardiology, with a … View Profile

    In the short to medium term, paritcularly in the context of an acute coronary syndrome, a stent can prevent a heart attack and progressive heart muscle damage. In these circumstances they can be lifesaving. 

    In the longer term, lifestyle and risk factor modification are more important strategies. 

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