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Heart Cathetheterization and expectations
I'm scheduled to have a heart cath. on Friday (Feb. 24th), to see if there is any potential problems.
A heart (nuclear) stress test, and accompanying photos revealed a potential problem.
A "possible" lack of blood flow, of a lesser vein/vessel.
That, if there is an "issue", may be dealt with either an Rx or something else.
[Note: The stress test, was ordered by my new PCP, after I told him, about the issues I have several weeks back, of what felt like a severe muscle spasm, in the left side of my chest, between the ribs and sternum.]
I have never had a heart cath. before (I just turned 50, last October), so I don't know what to expect, what the possible ramifications can be, etc.
Any help, would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you, for your time, consideration, and cooperation, I truly appreciate it.
Sincerely,
-- Socrates2k1 (aka Stan)
A heart (nuclear) stress test, and accompanying photos revealed a potential problem.
A "possible" lack of blood flow, of a lesser vein/vessel.
That, if there is an "issue", may be dealt with either an Rx or something else.
[Note: The stress test, was ordered by my new PCP, after I told him, about the issues I have several weeks back, of what felt like a severe muscle spasm, in the left side of my chest, between the ribs and sternum.]
I have never had a heart cath. before (I just turned 50, last October), so I don't know what to expect, what the possible ramifications can be, etc.
Any help, would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you, for your time, consideration, and cooperation, I truly appreciate it.
Sincerely,
-- Socrates2k1 (aka Stan)
I'm glad everything went well during the catheterization and no finding of any occlusions in your main arteries.
Good luck on your CT scan and let us know how it goes!
Lisa
Good luck on your CT scan and let us know how it goes!
Lisa
Stan I am glad everything went well for you. My husband went in for a heart cath 3 weeks ago and ended up having emergency open heart surgery. He had a quadruple bypass. The heart drs in Wichita are great!
Let us know what you find out.
Let us know what you find out.
That is good news that they didn't need to do anything and hopefully next Thursday will turn out the same way.
Oh and welcome to the world of strange hearts. When I had my 3x bypass the surgeon discovered that my heart had grown a new artery around one of the blockages.
Dennis
Oh and welcome to the world of strange hearts. When I had my 3x bypass the surgeon discovered that my heart had grown a new artery around one of the blockages.
Dennis
Well, I had my Heart Cath. it took about 90 minutes.
The results of which were, that everything was fine, they didn't need to do anything. However, it seems that my heart's anatomy is unusual. One vein that goes across the front of the heart, that should branch into two, is simply two separate veins. Also, another vein that goes behind the heart, travels in an incorrect way, and may travel between an artery and the heart, possibly cutting off blood flow, during exertion. Therefore, I'm scheduled for a CT scan of my heart, next Thursday. The Doctor said the 3D image, would give him a better idea, if there is a problem they may need to fix. I'll let you know, how that goes, afterwords.
Thank you all, for your thoughts and prayers.
-- Socrates2k1 (aka Stan)
The results of which were, that everything was fine, they didn't need to do anything. However, it seems that my heart's anatomy is unusual. One vein that goes across the front of the heart, that should branch into two, is simply two separate veins. Also, another vein that goes behind the heart, travels in an incorrect way, and may travel between an artery and the heart, possibly cutting off blood flow, during exertion. Therefore, I'm scheduled for a CT scan of my heart, next Thursday. The Doctor said the 3D image, would give him a better idea, if there is a problem they may need to fix. I'll let you know, how that goes, afterwords.
Thank you all, for your thoughts and prayers.
-- Socrates2k1 (aka Stan)
Off to have my Heart Cath. procedure done.
I have to be there at 8am (Central time), with the procedure scheduled for 11am (Central time).
I pray all goes well, for each of you today.
Take care and may God bless, you and yours.
-- Socrates2k1 (aka Stan)
I have to be there at 8am (Central time), with the procedure scheduled for 11am (Central time).
I pray all goes well, for each of you today.
Take care and may God bless, you and yours.
-- Socrates2k1 (aka Stan)
Sounds like great advise to me, I don't want to make matters worse.
6-8 hours of laying on my back, doesn't sound like too much to ask, especially since I'm sure, they're not gonna let me leave until that time passes. Thank you, for sharing your experiences.
-- Socrates2k1 (aka Stan)
6-8 hours of laying on my back, doesn't sound like too much to ask, especially since I'm sure, they're not gonna let me leave until that time passes. Thank you, for sharing your experiences.
-- Socrates2k1 (aka Stan)
I also have gone through the heart cath procedure ( 2005) and they did the angioplasty ( ballon) when I had my first heart attack. What Lulu said is very true. When I had mine done they made you stay flat on your back for 12 hours. The one thing you have to do is really stay on your back for the time they say. When I had mine done I almost bleed out twice because didn't seal up correctly. This results in my being in the hospital an extra 48 hours. So please don't try to move around before they allow.
Dennis
Dennis
Thank you both, very much.
The thought of any type of problem, especially with my heart, and the words, "possible lack of blood flow", to any part of it, sounds scary enough, huh.
Oh well, being in a "surgical setting" for me, won't be an issue, I'm only 50, but have seen my share of "surgical procedures" over my lifetime, well over 30, including Cancer and severe neck trauma. [I had been in the hospital 16 times, by my 16th birthday.]
And my new Physician (PCP) wonders why I walked into our first meeting with a spreadsheet of my past medical history. Could you remember every procedure and hospital stay you had, if you were me?
Not to mention, having MS, and lack of short term, and to some extent long term memory issues.
I go to see my new Physician (PCP) tomorrow, to get his "take" on my blood work and upcoming heart cath.
I'll let you know, what he says.
-- Socrates2k1 (aka Stan)
The thought of any type of problem, especially with my heart, and the words, "possible lack of blood flow", to any part of it, sounds scary enough, huh.
Oh well, being in a "surgical setting" for me, won't be an issue, I'm only 50, but have seen my share of "surgical procedures" over my lifetime, well over 30, including Cancer and severe neck trauma. [I had been in the hospital 16 times, by my 16th birthday.]
And my new Physician (PCP) wonders why I walked into our first meeting with a spreadsheet of my past medical history. Could you remember every procedure and hospital stay you had, if you were me?
Not to mention, having MS, and lack of short term, and to some extent long term memory issues.
I go to see my new Physician (PCP) tomorrow, to get his "take" on my blood work and upcoming heart cath.
I'll let you know, what he says.
-- Socrates2k1 (aka Stan)
Hi Stan, the thought of a heart catherization is almost as frightening as a lumbar puncture, and I am here to tell you both are common procedures that most people have no problem with.
I had a cath after my heart attack in 2008. It is an incredibly amazing
procedure and you will be allowed to watch if you want - it was pretty cool to watch my heart from inside.
They will give you a mild sedative if you want, though they overlooked that for mine. They put you on a table and will immobilize your body so you can't wiggle during the procedure . Ican absolutely guarantee you that immediately your nose will itch and you can't scratch it!!!
They do the procedure through the artery in the groin - there is a very tiny incision made and they snake the instruments up into your heart. there will be a large monitor overhead that the interventional cardiologist will look at to guide the movement - this usually is also visible to the person on the table.
To check for a blockage, they will inject some type of dye (sorry I don't know the specifics) into your heart and observe the movement with your beating heart. They can see where the blood is not circulating properly.
If there is a minor blockage to be cleared, they will do it right then in the cath lab, either through a balloon procedure of with the insertion of a stent. It is just short of miraculous what they can do. I saw the film of my husband's cath/stent procedure and to watch the blood flow again through his veins was so cool. He felt better immediately.
If there is a more serious problem that requires surgery, they will talk to you about this at the time of your cath.
The incision point for the scope is through the femoral artery and there are different types of closures they use to stop bleeding when they remove the scope. I was lucky and had the star closure, which only requires the patient to be still for two hours. Other closures can take up to 8 hours of being still for the blood to clot sufficiently. Of course you have to be cautious because you could easily bleed out if you aren't careful.
For a few days after, you may feel a bit sore or bruised in the groin, but it really isn't bad.
I hope this helps to demystify the procedure for you.
hugs, L
I had a cath after my heart attack in 2008. It is an incredibly amazing
procedure and you will be allowed to watch if you want - it was pretty cool to watch my heart from inside.
They will give you a mild sedative if you want, though they overlooked that for mine. They put you on a table and will immobilize your body so you can't wiggle during the procedure . Ican absolutely guarantee you that immediately your nose will itch and you can't scratch it!!!
They do the procedure through the artery in the groin - there is a very tiny incision made and they snake the instruments up into your heart. there will be a large monitor overhead that the interventional cardiologist will look at to guide the movement - this usually is also visible to the person on the table.
To check for a blockage, they will inject some type of dye (sorry I don't know the specifics) into your heart and observe the movement with your beating heart. They can see where the blood is not circulating properly.
If there is a minor blockage to be cleared, they will do it right then in the cath lab, either through a balloon procedure of with the insertion of a stent. It is just short of miraculous what they can do. I saw the film of my husband's cath/stent procedure and to watch the blood flow again through his veins was so cool. He felt better immediately.
If there is a more serious problem that requires surgery, they will talk to you about this at the time of your cath.
The incision point for the scope is through the femoral artery and there are different types of closures they use to stop bleeding when they remove the scope. I was lucky and had the star closure, which only requires the patient to be still for two hours. Other closures can take up to 8 hours of being still for the blood to clot sufficiently. Of course you have to be cautious because you could easily bleed out if you aren't careful.
For a few days after, you may feel a bit sore or bruised in the groin, but it really isn't bad.
I hope this helps to demystify the procedure for you.
hugs, L
Hi Stan!
Well, Caths, like other procedures are commonplace these days, however, there is always a potential risk to the patient. But, knowing about a block, or a valve of is very important for your future.
If you have a block, the surgeon may choose to open it then, or schedule it later. Just depends on exactly what they see, and that cath will show them alot. Decisions of the heart are very much individualized to your particular case.
I wish you well for Friday! And, will say a little prayer for you to do well, and find out exactly what is going on :) and fix you right up!
-shell
Well, Caths, like other procedures are commonplace these days, however, there is always a potential risk to the patient. But, knowing about a block, or a valve of is very important for your future.
If you have a block, the surgeon may choose to open it then, or schedule it later. Just depends on exactly what they see, and that cath will show them alot. Decisions of the heart are very much individualized to your particular case.
I wish you well for Friday! And, will say a little prayer for you to do well, and find out exactly what is going on :) and fix you right up!
-shell
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