What to consider before getting a drug-eluting stent

If you have a bleeding disorder, your healthcare professional may tell you not to get a drug-eluting stent. This is because people with stents must take an antiplatelet medicine, such as aspirin, to prevent blood clots. Do not take a daily aspirin without talking with your healthcare professional.

Your healthcare team gives you instructions on what to expect before and after drug-eluting stent placement. Here are some things to keep in mind.

• Do you need another type of surgery? If you need surgery that is not on your heart, your healthcare professional may tell you to wait after getting a drug-eluting stent. Some people may need to wait up to one year. Others may be able to have surgery sooner. This depends on their heart condition and bleeding risk. Newer drug-eluting stents may allow for more flexible timing. If surgery can't wait, a different type of stent may be used. An example is a bare-metal stent.
• Do you need to change medicines? Blood thinners and aspirin can affect surgery and other medical treatments and procedures. If surgery can't wait, your healthcare professional may tell you to stop a medicine or change the dose. Do not change or stop taking your medicines unless your healthcare team tells you to.