In the field of cardiovascular intervention, stenting marks a major progress and brings hope and possibility to countless patients. By placing a small mesh tubular structure inside a narrowed or blocked coronary artery, this procedure effectively restores blood flow, relieves symptoms and prevents the further progression of heart disease. However, the success of the surgery depends not only on the advancement of medical technology and the doctor's skill, but also on the patient's postoperative lifestyle adjustment, especially the change of smoking habits. Smoking, which is recognized as an important factor that accelerates arteriosclerosis and promotes cardiovascular disease, is even more harmful to patients who have been placed with cardiac stents. Tobacco contains thousands of harmful substances that can stimulate and exacerbate the inflammatory response in the inner wall of the arteries and promote plaque formation, which threatens the health of the blood vessels near the stent and increases the risk of restenosis. In addition, smoking can also increase the viscosity of blood and increase the possibility of thrombosis, which is undoubtedly a potential life-threatening for patients with cardiac stents.
Stenting is a routine procedure in cardiovascular disease** that restores blood flow by placing a small metal mesh frame in a narrowed or blocked coronary artery. However, one of the main challenges faced by postoperative patients is the risk of coronary restenosis, which is the re-narrowing of the arteries in the area where the stent is placed. Smoking is one of the main factors that accelerate arteriosclerosis, which is the root cause of coronary artery disease. The nicotine and other chemicals in tobacco are able to stimulate the inflammatory response of vascular endothelial cells, promote plaque formation, and accelerate the thickening of the arterial lining. For patients who have already had a stent in place, smoking not only increases the risk of restenosis, but may also lead to accelerated damage to the blood vessels around the stent.
Smoking has a profound impact on the blood system. The harmful components in tobacco smoke, such as carbon monoxide and nicotine, can make the blood thicker and increase the tendency of platelets to clump, which directly increases the risk of thrombosis. The risk of blood clots is already increased after a heart stent is implanted, and this risk is amplified if you continue to smoke. Blood clots can block blood flow through the stent, triggering acute cardiac events, such as myocardial infarction. In addition, smoking can also lead to decreased vascular reactivity, which prevents blood vessels from expanding and contracting effectively, which limits the heart's ability to get more blood when it needs it.
Long-term observational studies have shown that patients who continue to smoke have a significantly higher risk of post-stenting and cardiovascular events than those who quit smoking. Smoking not only increases the likelihood of restenosis and vascular occlusion, but also affects the chemical composition and flow characteristics of the blood, thereby increasing the risk of lesions in non-target vessels. In addition, blood pressure and cholesterol levels in patients who smoke tend to be more difficult to control, and these factors can negatively affect the long-term success of the stent and the general health of the patient.
After quitting smoking, patients experience a series of positive physiological changes that have direct benefits for recovery and long-term health after stenting. First, quitting smoking can slow the progression of arteriosclerosis and reduce the risk of restenosis. Second, improved blood mobility reduces the likelihood of thrombosis, which in turn reduces the risk of acute cardiac events. In addition to this, quitting smoking can also help improve blood pressure and blood lipid levels, which are essential for maintaining the health of the blood vessels around the stent. Ultimately, these changes work together to significantly improve patients' quality of life and reduce the likelihood of further cardiovascular events.