A cardiac stent is a small, expandable metal or plastic tube that is inserted into a narrowed artery to keep it open. It can also be called a heart stent or coronary stent.

Before getting a stent, your doctor will tell you not to take any drugs that will make it harder for your blood to clot.

During the cardiac stent procedure, the surgeon will make a small incision - usually in the groin or arm - and use a catheter to guide surgical tools through your blood vessels.

Most patients remain in the hospital overnight after a heart stent surgery.

Many patients are able to return to work after a week, however, often those who have undergone emergency stent surgery take longer to recover.