Well Ladies,
I saw my cardiologist yesterday. EKG was normal, he said with my history that I should have a stress test or a cath. I picked the stress test (as it non-invasive)...now I'm wondering if I did the right thing? I know it's not the gold standard for determining blockages. And should he have given me the choice? Any suggestions?
Sue
Hi there Sue,
My opinion only.......I would opt for the cath in a heartbeat....that is THE only way for cardio to see precisely what is going on with your entire heart and arterial activity while he/she watches your heart beating on screeen. If you have been browsing this site you may have quickly run across the many women who have had negative stress test results only to find themselves rushed to ER within weeks having heart attacks from blockages that could have easily been seen and treated during cath/angio before the ensuing heart attacks caused irreparable tissue damage. To be given a choice is quite rare......I am leaning heavily in the direction of cath. Having been precisely where you are and not being sent for any cardiac testing? Go for the cath.
My very biased opinion (smile). My rationale is why go for the stress test, which is notorious for false readings when you have the option of going for the 100 percent accurate cath? I understand this is all quite scary and intimidating....and you need to go for the best, speediest intervention you can get....yesterday!!! : ) Go for the best technology available at this time.
Hugs and smiles,
Jaynie
http://www.bupa.co.uk/wellness/asp/personal/health_assessments/best_choice/ ebt.asp
Take a look at this, is it too good to be true? Why are we not offered this simple non-invasive test?
Angioplasty is accurate I know, but things don't always go as they should, personally, after my very negative experience, it's the last thing I'd choose.
Grace x
Grace, that is what Dr. Agaston (south beach dr.) does. It's called a 64 slice CT scan and it determines your calcium score and risk of having an MI. From what I am understanding from his book is that plaque can be building up under the endothelium and not diminishing the diameter of the vessel. It is at the time that the soft plaque that has built up ruptures and the body tries to repair itself by clotting at the injury site that you get an MI. He goes on to explain that people can have major blockages and not have any symptoms mainly because their body has developed its own bypass naturally. So not all blockages are going to cause an MI. It's the soft plaque that can rupture even after being given a clean bill of health. Makes sense. Really, everyone should get the book. It's been very helpful in helping me to make sense of some of the things that have bothered me over the years. Even my own experience.
So, Sue maybe you could ask your doctor what he things about Dr. Agastons findings and the 64 slice CT scan.
Sue, I totally get your choice, angios scare me too, but if given the choice, I'd have to choose angio. Stress tests, even with echo, are notoriously inconclusive to just plain wrong with women. I don't know why the stat, but unless you have a blockage of 70% or higher, they don't often show on a stress, and even then, much more severe blockages can be missed. My doc confirmed this for me, and if you're stress is abnormal, you'll probably have to have the angio anyway. I think Tina's idea of the CT is a great one, non-invasive, and a better picture of what is really happening.
Good luck whatever you decide!
K
Sue,
Reading the other opinions, which all offer a good deal to think about....I would still be opting for the cath because they can immediately implant stents to open blockages right then. One trip, done deal! Even with the 64 slice scanner you would end up in a cath lab sooner or later for actual treatment. The scan is a test only.....If it were to be used as a stent placement reference during a later cath (caths cannot necessarily pick up lurking calcium deposits so it could be a helpful way to stent sites of possible future rupture), then I can see how it would be advantageous to calcium test before cath.
Gee, why can't these things ever be simple? (smile)
Jaynie
Take care, Jaynie
Thanks...
for all your replies. I've called the doctor's office to arrange a cath; but, they must be closed today because no one has returned my call. I've had 3 caths....two with no problems (but one was a nightmare with a large hematoma and me passing out from the pain to get rid of the blood). I'll keep you informed. Keep me in your prayers.
Sue
Thanks to all..
I have called my doctor to arrange a cath; but, apparently, they are closed today as no one returned my call. I've had 3 caths; two with no problems, one with a huge hem
Sue good luck with your cath, I hope it's your best experience yet and that you get nothing but good news!
Thanks so much. I'm frightened (needless to say) but when I consider the alternatives I feel this is the right course.
You go girl!! Let us know when you're scheduled, we'll be praying! I'm so proud of you!
K
This may help........
SCARED OF CATHERIZATION - Heart Disease - MedHelpMay 28, 2003 ... This is a discussion on MedHelp about SCARED OF CATHERIZATION. Community members of MedHelp provide
Do a google on caths. or do www.medhelp.org . Then put in scared of catherizations.
Hugs
Kathi
Everyone is correct in saying caths are the gold standard.
I will pray for you, I agree, I think the heart cath is the way to go only because without one one I would not be here today.
The heart cath is a way they can fix your heart, easier if it only need stent. and if it is more serious then, they can take the next step sooner.
I have had 13 caths, all have been different but none have been horrible. I was also given the choice a couple of times, I will never choose the alternate choice again. It was a waste of time and money. In the end, I had a cath anyway. Because of my heart history, they even elected to do a cath on my 32 year old daughter as a marker as her bloodwork showed she had many of the same markers as I have. They will keep the pictures and use them in the future if and when she has problems. I think you made the right choice... You will be in my prayers... Diane
Thanks to everyone....I'm still waiting on my doctor's office to call back. If I don't hear by noon. I plan on stopping by their office. I was awakened at 6:00am with the same pain under my left shoulder blade. After I went to the bathroom, I felt shaky and weak (a little sweaty-maybe a hot flash?). I felt like it might be anxiety, muscle spasm...anything but my heart. I listened to my heart meditation tapes and took a half of an ativan ...it took a half for the pain to ease off. Today I'm just tired and depressed.
Hey South,
"I'm still waiting on my doctor's office to call back. If I don't hear by noon. I plan on stopping by their office. I was awakened at 6:00am with the same pain under my left shoulder blade. After I went to the bathroom, I felt shaky and weak (a little sweaty-maybe a hot flash?). "
Please bug them to to you in for a cath ASAP.....your symptoms need attention. I had one of those fun cath hematomas too but I would still go back for another.
Hugs and best of luck to you, Jaynie
Jaynie...
You are the sweetest! I like your direct approach and I will stay on them until I get scheduled - the cardiologist is in surgery today. I was hoping to hear something this afternoon, but so far - nothing.
Sue
While we are all scared of invasive procedures, the catherization is nothing compared to an emergency bypass surgery. Honey, get the catherization and then you can rest assured that you have a true diagnosis. I am truly thankful for a very diligent cardiologist that insisted on a catherization after doing a stress test. I had a 90% blockage in my main artery and 70% in the other three. I ended up with an emergency quad bypass because I was 45 and still did not believe I was as seriously ill as I was until I had a heart attack a week after the diagnosis. Thank God I had a second chance. The catherization is not that bad. Within a week, you will be pretty much back to normal. Just bruising to deal with. Best of luck to you. God Bless.
Thanks for your timely advice. You're right - I just needed someone else to confirm it.
Love to All!!
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