Cardiac Catheterzation

Posted , 6 users are following.

Hello 

I had a stress test 2 weeks ago and when I went for the results I was told there’s a spot that looks questionable ... since I’m over 40 ( 43 ) and diabetic it’s recommended I get a heart cath.  

 I also suffer from extreme health anxiety so hearing this basically sent me over the edge. My cardiac cath  isn’t for another two weeks, and I am absolutely petrified that something is going to happen to me between now and then. My anxiety is through the roof I have all the classic symptoms of anxiety that I have suffered with for over 16 years but now I’m convinced it’s my heart.  

  I’m trying to tell myself that if they were overly concerned they would schedule me sooner than making me wait two weeks 

0 likes, 4 replies

4 Replies

  • Posted

    I've had two ECG stress tests and a stress Echocardiogram each indicated that I was not getting a good blood flow to my heart. Each time it was found to be a false positive after having an angiogram.

    Relax lay back and watch the procedure on the screen and ask questions. The procedure does not take long my first one surprised me as it only took ten minutes before we were watching the 'action replay' on the  screen.

    The consent form has to warn you of the very unlikely possibilities but it is a very safe procedure and as one consultant said the cath lab is the safest place in the world for patients.

  • Posted

    Yes i agree with you. If its really a serious matter i think they wont wait for 2 wks to do the procedure. I have a friend who have the symptoms and when confirmed that she needed a stent they did the procedure right away bec i think hers is an emergency
  • Posted

    Cyclonesmom28,

    I know what you're talking about, I've been there, and you're absolutely right,

    they most definitely would have scheduled you right away had they seen something that needed immediate action.  It's very unlikely that the anxiety

    attacks you've been experiencing for the last 16 years were actually something

    cardiac related.  You may vey well have some degree of plaque accumulation in

    a segment of one of your arteries, because after 4 decades it would be very rare

    if you didn't.  The left anterior descending artery that supplies blood to the front of

    your left ventricle is one that cardiologists take particular interest in, because you

    don't want any significant buildup in that artery.  You can rest assured that they didn't observe any blockage ( to any great degree) in that artery, as you would have been scheduled straight away.  I wish you luck with your upcoming cath, in the meantime you should try some relaxation techniques (yoga, meditation) they

    really do the heart some good.  I know, I practice them daily.

     

  • Posted

    I couldn't agree more, if your case was an emergency, no way would you be waiting.

    I had my ablation eight weeks ago and have been feeling great, since!

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