cardiac question

Long Term Care Columnist / Guide · Feb 17, 2005

I think you should definitely have this procedure. You can't be too cautious when it comes to the heart, and since you have continued to experience chest pain despite 'normal' outcomes from previous tests, you need further evaluation. I've taken care of women who turned out to have heart disease that was not diagnose-able by conventional means, so if your cardiologist recommends this test for you, you should have it done.

If this procedure fails to turn up a cause for your chest discomfort, then it's probably time to look elsewhere..........sometimes gallbladder trouble, lung disease and even kidney stones can mimic heart attacks.

Good luck to you.

jetsetter · Feb 17, 2005

I really don't think you should wait. Once the heart has damage, it's very hard to undue. I know the thought of the procedure is scary, but as long as you are confident w/your cardiologist and hospital, it should be ok. We'll all be thinking of you :icon_hug:

cathlabtraveler · Feb 17, 2005

I have been having chest pains for the last year. Normal stress, echo, ct with pe protocal. All normal. Some days my chest bothers me so much that I am tempted to go to the ER. The only thing showed was an abnormal EKG.
My cardiologist suggests to do a left heart cath. He states that a 36 year old female with chest pains with an abnormal EKG, there is something wrong. I trust my cardiologist. I asked him if stress or depression can make EKG changes and he advised me no. There were more changes on my EKG in five days since the last EKG. I know this procedure is very risky, but he states that everything else is normal, and we may find out what the problem is if we do this test. I am afraid.....I am taking this procedure very serious. I am 36 years old and my mother died of CHF, COPD, and emphysema. What do you guys think? Should I have this procedure done? I know if it shows up negative, that we do not have to worry about my heart. Please advise me.

I'm a cath lab rn. The heart cath is not a very risky procedure. I know that's easy for me to say since it's not me on the table. But the test itself has a very low risk as far as invasive procedures go. And since you continue to have changes to your EKG it sounds like the way to go. Maybe they'll give you enough Versed so that you won't even remember the cath :)

Tweety, BSN, RN · Feb 17, 2005

I echo the above. It's not a bad procedure at all. In light of the EKG changes I think it's important to find out if there's any ischemia going on and the cath is the best way to do that.

Good luck!

curleysue · Feb 17, 2005

Yes you should have the procedure. I am guessing he means an angiogram. I have had two of those, one for my heart and one for my lungs when I had PE.

Its really comfortable procedure cause they give you an intravenous sedative like versed and you are pretty sleepy during the whole thing. I think its important for you to get this so you know exactely what is going on with your heart.

During my study they found I had SVT and needed an ablation. I had the ablation and have no more chest pain or palpatations.

Take care and I hope you do the study. Curleysue

SABOOTHECAT · Feb 18, 2005

Thanks guys for all the information.

I actually got to watch a cath this morning, and it really was not that bad. I had a friend that works in the lab and she showed me around, and went step-by-step of what happens on the day of the cath. I feel alot better about the procedure and I have decided to go for it. ^..^