The core basis for doctors to judge whether a stent needs to be placed is the "degree of blood vessel blockage", but this is not the only criterion, and it will also be combined with symptoms, blockage sites, blood supply range and other comprehensive assessments. We can divide it into the following common situations according to the degree of blockage:

      When blood vessel blockage is less than 50%, most people do not have obvious symptoms because blood vessels have a certain compensatory capacity to maintain the blood supply to the organ. At this stage, doctors generally do not recommend stents, but emphasize "lifestyle intervention + regular monitoring".

For example, control a high-oil, high-salt, and high-sugar diet, and eat more vegetables, fruits, and whole grains; Insist on exercise; quit smoking and limit alcohol, and avoid staying up late; If you have underlying diseases such as high blood pressure, hyperlipidemia, and diabetes, you should strictly follow the doctor's instructions to take medicine and control the indicators within a reasonable range. At the same time, relevant examinations are done every six months to a year, such as blood lipids and vascular ultrasound, to monitor changes in plaque and blockage.

   The degree of blood vessel blockage reaches 50%-70%, which is "moderate blockage", and the treatment plan at this stage needs to be judged by individualization, focusing on "whether there are symptoms" and "whether the plaque is stable".

If there are no uncomfortable symptoms, such as walking and climbing stairs normally, and there is no chest pain, chest tightness and other manifestations, the doctor usually recommends "drug treatment + lifestyle adjustment" first and closely observe. In terms of drugs, antiplatelet drugs (prevent thrombosis), statins (stabilize plaque, lower blood lipids), etc., may be used to prevent plaque from further enlargement and rupture.

      However, if there are obvious symptoms, such as chest pain and tightness after activity, relief after rest (angina), or unstable plaque (such as unsmooth plaque surface and easy rupture), it means that the narrowing of blood vessels has affected the blood supply to the organ.

  When the degree of blood vessel blockage exceeds 70%, it is a "severe blockage", and obvious ischemic symptoms often appear at this time, and whether to place a stent needs to be divided into "emergency" and "chronic situation".

   The first is an "acute ischemic event", such as acute myocardial infarction (sudden and complete blockage of the coronary artery), or frequent episodes of severe angina that cannot be controlled by medication. In this case, time is of the essence, and stent intervention is an important means to quickly open blood vessels and restore blood supply, which can minimize organ damage, reduce disability and mortality. At this time, the doctor will recommend placing a stent as soon as possible to "grab time" for the organ.

The second is "chronic severe blockage", although the degree of blockage is high, but the symptoms are relatively stable. In this case, the doctor will first assess the blood supply of the blood vessels and whether the collateral circulation (the "backup blood vessels" formed by the body itself) is abundant. If collateral circulation can meet the blood supply to the organs, intensive drug therapy and lifestyle interventions may be tried first; If the symptoms are repeated and the drug is not effective, consider placing a stent.