Angioplasty and Stent in Sharjah
Medically reviewed by Dar Al Kamal Team
What is interventional cardiology?
Interventional cardiology is the branch of heart care that treats problems through a thin, flexible tube called a catheter, passed into a blood vessel at the wrist or groin and guided to the heart. The best-known example is coronary angioplasty. A tiny balloon is inflated inside a narrowed heart artery to widen it, and a stent, a small mesh tube, is usually left in place to keep the artery open. Some valve problems and certain holes in the heart can also be repaired through a catheter at specialist centres.
These procedures take place in a catheter laboratory, so angioplasty is performed at a specialist heart centre that your cardiologist at Dar Al Kamal Hospital, Sharjah refers you to. The cardiology team at Dar Al Kamal Hospital, Sharjah handles the parts of care that happen before and after: assessment, tests, the decision about whether a procedure will help, the referral, and your long-term follow-up.
Who needs it
Planned angioplasty is considered for people with stable angina, which is chest tightness or discomfort brought on by exertion or stress and eased by rest, when symptoms continue to limit daily life despite medicines. It may also be advised when an angiogram shows a narrowing in an artery supplying a large area of heart muscle.
Emergency angioplasty is a different situation. It is used to open a fully blocked artery during a heart attack, and the emergency pathway is described on the heart attack treatment page.
How the decision is made for planned treatment:
| Question | What informs it |
|---|---|
| Are symptoms controlled? | Your history, and how you respond to medicines |
| How much heart muscle is at risk? | Stress testing, echocardiography and the angiogram |
| Which treatment fits best? | The number and position of narrowings, your other conditions and your preferences |
Many people with stable angina are treated well with medicines and risk-factor control alone, and angioplasty is added when symptoms persist. For some patterns of narrowing, such as disease in several arteries alongside diabetes, bypass surgery may be the better option. Your cardiologist explains the choices and why one is recommended.
What happens
At Dar Al Kamal Hospital, Sharjah, your first appointment reviews your symptoms, risk factors and medicines. Tests available here, including an ECG, an echocardiogram, an ECG stress test and blood tests, help build the picture. If an angiogram has already been done elsewhere, bring the report and the images; your cardiologist can review the findings with you and discuss what they mean.
When a procedure is advised, the cardiologist arranges referral to a specialist centre with a catheter laboratory, sends a summary of your history and results, and makes sure your medicines and kidney function are in order beforehand. At the specialist centre, the procedure is usually done under local anaesthetic with light sedation, so you stay awake. You may feel pressure at the wrist or groin and brief chest discomfort while the balloon is inflated.
After you return, follow-up continues at Dar Al Kamal Hospital, Sharjah.
Preparing for it
Bring a full list of your medicines, including supplements, and every previous heart test report. Tell your cardiologist if you have kidney disease, diabetes, an allergy to contrast dye or iodine, or a bleeding problem, since these affect planning.
Blood-thinning medicines, diabetes medicines and some blood pressure medicines may need adjusting before the procedure. Follow the instructions you are given and ask if anything is unclear. Arrange for someone to take you home from the specialist centre, and ask your insurer about pre-approval early, as it is usually needed before a planned procedure in the UAE.
Afterwards
After a stent, the long-term plan matters as much as the procedure itself. Your cardiologist at Dar Al Kamal Hospital, Sharjah reviews your recovery, checks your medicines, and supports you in controlling blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes and smoking. A supervised cardiac rehabilitation programme helps you return to activity with confidence.
Keep taking the blood-thinning medicines prescribed after a stent. Do not stop them without advice from your cardiologist, even if another doctor or dentist suggests it, because stopping early can cause a clot inside the stent.
Contact the hospital if the wrist or groin puncture site bleeds, swells or becomes painful, if you notice unusual bruising or blood in your urine or stools, or if you are planning surgery or dental treatment. During Ramadan, discuss medicine timings with your cardiologist in advance. Call emergency services straight away if chest pain returns and does not settle with rest, or if you become suddenly breathless, faint or sweaty.
Cost and insurance
Most UAE health insurance plans cover cardiology consultations, heart tests and long-term medicines. Angioplasty at a specialist centre requires pre-approval from your insurer, and the referral letter and test results support that request. Dar Al Kamal Hospital, Sharjah can help you understand the process on 06 599 7777.
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Frequently asked questions
Is angioplasty done at Dar Al Kamal Hospital?
Angioplasty is not performed at Dar Al Kamal Hospital, Sharjah, because the procedure needs a catheter laboratory. The cardiology team assesses you, carries out the tests available here, decides with you whether angioplasty will help, refers you to a specialist centre and provides your follow-up afterwards.
What are the risks of angioplasty and stents?
Angioplasty carries risks that include bleeding or bruising at the wrist or groin, a reaction to contrast dye, effects on kidney function, an irregular heartbeat, and rarely a heart attack, stroke or damage to the artery. A stent can narrow again or, rarely, develop a clot, which is why prescribed medicines matter. The treating team explains your individual risks before consent.
Will a stent cure my heart disease?
A stent treats one narrowed section of artery, but the underlying condition, coronary artery disease, remains in the rest of the arteries. Medicines, stopping smoking, and controlling blood pressure, cholesterol and diabetes are what reduce the chance of future problems.
Do I need angioplasty if I have angina?
Many people with stable angina do well with medicines and lifestyle changes alone. Angioplasty is usually considered when symptoms continue despite treatment or tests show a large area of heart muscle at risk. Your cardiologist explains which option suits your situation.
Can I get a second opinion on my angiogram at Dar Al Kamal Hospital?
Yes, the cardiologist at Dar Al Kamal Hospital, Sharjah can review an angiogram report and images from another hospital and discuss the findings and options with you. Bring the images on a disc or file as well as the written report.
How soon can I return to normal activities after a stent?
Many people return to light daily activities soon after a planned angioplasty, but the right timing for driving, work and exercise depends on your procedure and heart function. The specialist centre and your cardiologist give you advice for your situation, and cardiac rehabilitation helps you build up safely.
Is angioplasty covered by insurance in the UAE?
Most UAE insurance plans cover angioplasty when it is medically necessary, but pre-approval is required before a planned procedure. Consultations, tests and follow-up at Dar Al Kamal Hospital, Sharjah are usually covered. Confirm your cover on 06 599 7777.
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