What is a heart stent, why does Meghan Markle’s dad need one and do they stop heart attacks?
ALL eyes are on the royal couple this week as the sad news hit that Meghan Markle's father will not be attending his daughter's wedding.
Thomas Markle will instead have to undergo surgery on his heart where surgeons will clear a blockage, repair damage and put in a coronary stent. Here's what we know about the procedure.
What is a heart stent?
A coronary stent is basically a tube that is inserted in a patient's coronary arteries, keeping them open so they are able to effectively supply blood to the heart.
It is one of the options available to those suffering with coronary heart disease.
Its full (and rather grand) title is "percutaneous coronary intervention", also known as coronary angioplasty.
The idea is that it will reduce chest pain and improve the chances of survival should the patient suffer a heart attack.
Does a heart stent stop heart attacks?
Stenting can substantially improve your blood flow and prevent further damage to your heart muscle.
It can also improve symptoms of heart disease, such as chest pain (angina) and shortness of breath.
The procedure can alleviate chest pain but is thought not to contribute to longevity.
Research suggests: "The vast majority of heart attacks do not originate with obstructions that narrow arteries.
"Most heart attacks do not occur because an artery is narrowed by plaque.
"Instead, they say, heart attacks occur when an area of plaque bursts, a clot forms over the area and blood flow is abruptly blocked.
"In 75 to 80 per cent of cases, the plaque that erupts was not obstructing an artery and would not be stented or bypassed.
"The dangerous plaque is soft and fragile, produces no symptoms and would not be seen as an obstruction to blood flow."
Why does Meghan Markle’s dad need a heart stent?
Thomas Markle will no longer be walking Meghan down the aisle as he is undergoing a serious heart operation instead.
The retired lighting director, who lives in Rosarito, Mexico, said medics had told him his heart was “seriously damaged” after a heart attack a week ago.
Mr Markle Snr said he was due to go into surgery on May 16, 2018, at 3.30pm UK time after checking himself into hospital for a battery of tests.
And reportedly he claimed son Tom Jr triggered his heart scare by writing an open letter warning Prince Harry not to marry Meghan this Saturday.
He told : “They will go in and clear blockage, repair damage and put a stent where it is needed.”