A stent for implantation in a body lumen, comprising a plurality of rings, each ring being connected to an adjacent ring by at least one link, each ring including a plurality of peaks and valleys, wherein each peak is connected to an adjacent valley by a strut to provide an undulating pattern within each ring. Further, wherein each of a plurality of the struts comprise a first portion and a second portion each portion has a thickness that is substantially constant throughout both first and second portions and each portion has a width that is substantially constant throughout both first and second portions. The first portion is connected to the second portion through a reduced zone positioned at a mid-point of the strut, wherein the reduced zone has a minimum thickness between 30% and 80% of the thickness of the first and second portions.
