How does the doctor determine you need stents placed in the heart What is the proper test or procedure?

Doctors typically determine the need for stents through a combination of patient symptoms, medical history, and diagnostic tests. The most common procedure used is a coronary angiogram, where a contrast dye is injected into the coronary arteries to visualize blockages via X-ray imaging. If significant narrowing or blockage is detected, the doctor may recommend placing stents to maintain blood flow. Other non-invasive tests, such as stress tests or cardiac CT scans, may also be used to assess heart health before deciding on stenting.