How long can a stent stay in?

I just had 5 stents placed in after having a heart attack, and I'm just wondering, how long can these stay in my body? I'm 50 years old and male.

They stay in forever. They may need to be re-dilated or a bypass may be needed somewhere down the line, but the stents stay in forever.

They are part of you forever.

Regards,

Gerald Lewis, MD