[JimRed]

It’s also possible that, had you waited, you might have developed collateral circulation around the blocked vessel (angiogenesis), obviating the need for a stent (sometimes called “natural bypass”).

The doctor showed me that I already had it to some degree, which is one reason I survived the first attack. I was a semi-serious runner for quite a few years (age group awards, mostly), and marathon training apparently increased the circulation to my heart.

[Salvey]

My cardiologist told me that stenting tends to cause these collateral vessels to regress.