Stent placement is a medical procedure in which a small mesh tube is inserted into a narrowed or blocked blood vessel, most commonly a coronary artery, to restore blood flow and keep the vessel open. It usually follows balloon angioplasty during cardiac catheterization and may involve bare-metal or drug-eluting stents. Stent placement is used to treat coronary artery disease, relieve angina, and reduce the risk of heart attacks, although it does not cure underlying atherosclerosis. Patients typically require ongoing antiplatelet therapy, lifestyle changes, and cardiac follow-up. In underwriting, a history of stent placement signals significant cardiovascular disease, and risk assessment focuses on the extent of disease, left ventricular function, and post-procedure stability.

When clients disclose stent placement on a life or disability application, underwriters request cardiology records, catheterization reports, stress tests, and medication lists. They evaluate age at event, number and location of stents, ejection fraction, and presence of other risk factors such as diabetes or smoking. Well-controlled cases with good follow-up can sometimes receive standard or moderately rated offers after appropriate waiting periods, while extensive multivessel disease may be declined. Advisors can improve outcomes by gathering complete cardiac documentation and confirming stability before submitting large cases. Understanding stent placement helps advisors explain why carriers scrutinize these histories and why aggressive risk factor management enhances both health and insurability.