If the cardiologist is sure there are blockages causing problems, maybe through a failed stress test, then he will likely want to do an angiogram sooner. Some cardiologists would still rather just put you on medication.
"The hazards of smoking, and its addictive nature are well known. I am trying my best! "
That's good, I know it's hard, I've been there.
" is it not a good idea to get on the angiograph in the first place?
Vessel occlusion can be identified by a CT angiogram or the invasive procedure by a cath angiogram. Neither test has 100% sensitivity rating, but quite good. Also an EKG can indicate ischemia (lack of blood flow to the heart) that may be due to a vessel blockage.
Usually, the tests aren't given unless there is chest pain, shortness of breath, etc., but if there is a family history of CAD and heart problems the testing for plague occluding vessels may be appropriate.
Went to family physician who was concerned and suggested nuclear stress test or CAT angiogram and gave me a choice. He ruled out blood work to look for enzymes. He told me the CAT would require prior insurance approval and recommended nuclear stress test. Like the EKG's I am sure that nothing will show up on the stress test. Should I save the insurance co pays etc and go straight to CAT angiogram?
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From my experience as a volunteer I can tell you that hereditary heart problems are the most dangerous and the most difficult to combat. the blockages you have are serious...don't wait on this to get worse.
Most cardiologists are under the opinion that we create these heart problems ourselves which is often true. Unfortunately they get jaded by this and are lax in offering advice. Convince him you want to change. As a volunteer I run into my doctors all the time.
The tests indicated a blockage. I am now waiting for an angiogram. They put me on drugs after the test. I am on 1.25mg Monocor, 5mg Norvasc, 10mg Crestor as well as ASA 81mg - one per day. Now I wait for Angiogram. I am quite freaked out. So I am scheduled for an angiogram on Feb 5th. They tell me there are risks in this test. The risk is 1 in 1000 people die, stroke or have a heart attack during this proceedure. My question is this, Should I get a 64-slice Coronary CT Angiograph​y?
since 2 years he has been experiencing BREATHLESSSNESS,at certain times.His THALLIUM STRESS TEST was done to rule out any heart problems,like blocks etc.The test results were good,with EF at 65 or so.but he still has the problem.We are confused what is causing the breathlessness.Some doctors say,thallium stress test is good enough,and we need not go for angiograpjy.We are confused what we should do.pls advise.
Cholesterol medication can reduce calcium already in the heart in higher doses. Medication is always best if the heart situation is not life threatening. An angiogram at the age of 70, can have more risks than for someone who is younger. Sometimes the arteries become thin or weak, which increases the risk of an artery tearing during an angiogram. Does he have diabetes? If so, this would increase his risk. His LVEF is great! Left main artery is normal, which is the most important artery.
CT scan 64-slice angiogram as well as a cath angiogram is by definition an angiogram as both involve a dye injection, but there is more intense radiation exposure with CT angiogram. It is fast becoming the radiological test of choice to look at disease of blood vessels. The next generation of a ct scan will reduce the individual's radiation exposure.
The ct angiogram involves an assessment of the body of the vessels as well as the lumen.
My mom had a nuclear stress test and then three weeks later had an angiogram which proved that her heart was extremely bad. The nuclear stress test was okay. My mom was plugged in the three arteries. Three heart valves were bad and she had cardiomyopathy. The doctors said that they did not know why she was even able to walk around. The echocardiogram did not show that her heart valves were that bad either. She had extreme pressure in her heart.
An angiogram is not looking for electrical conduction problems like an EKG or holter monitor test. An angiogram rules out major blockages in the heart from plaque, etc.. Please ask your doctor for an event holter monitor that you can wear to check on the rhythm and electrical conduction of your heart.
The third one was done last week and they chose to do the injection of med rather than treadmill. Towards the end of the test, I had heart attack symptoms ( which resolved with 3 squirts of nitro) and was sent to the hosp for an angiogram. Results of the angiogram were good , except for a 25% occlusion in a distal aeortic vessel on the back of my heart down by the apex. The Dr. said that my heart had "spasmed" during the stress test.
By a myocardial, are you referring to a nuclear stress test?
An Angiogram is the gold test for heart arterial blockages. It wouldn't show any problems with valves other that note some abnormalities in heart pressure, etc., but if you are having unexplained breathlessness, I'd go that direction.
Sorry to hear about all your problems Ed. Sweet tooth....like me. I've drastically cut my sugar/carbs since late December along with reduced calories. I've lost 30 pounds in 3½ months. You folk in the UK have a big stress reduction in that it's all free! Medical bills and dealing with insurance is a big stress here.
s basically every test. All my test passed. They just wanted to do an Angiogram to see if there were any problems. That is when they found the blockages. My Dr,s were shocked to find them. I had 1 stent put in, and an Angioplasty in the other due to I need a 2 mm stent that is drug eluding, but it is currently not availiable. In the mean time, I am having pains in between the shoulder blades, which I was told is due to where the angioplasty was done.
I am only 24 I've had every test in the book besides a angiogram. I do have other problems as well like nsvt ms stomach hernia and chonic blood in urine no explanation for anything I think there just doing it for peace of mind I also have pots it been along year and anything with my heart scares me to death. Some one sticking a camera in there isn't really sooting me.
A carotid MRI showed that I have about 50 percent blockage. A stress test revealed an abnormal EKG, with about a 4mm drop in the curve between the pulses. I have a history of high cholesterol and am currently on a cholesterol reducing medication as well as a medication to reduce blood pressure. I was offered several options as the next step and opted for a CT angiogram.
she has had no symptoms of heart problems but has diabetes). She was the 4th person to have the test on this equipment. According to the results stress images reveal a large sized perfusion abnormality of moderate to severe intensity in the lateral and anterolateral walls . Stress images also showed a medium sized perfusion abnormality of mild to moderate intensity in the interoseptal and inferiolateral walls. Grade V stage.
Hi there. The best test is an angiogram. Its an invasive test, but basically a tiny line is inserted in an artery in the groin or wrist. The doctor threads this to your heart, a contrast dye is released which shows on the monitor for the doctor to view. (Its like a moving live Xray) Blockages are generally spotted promptly with this test. The test result can be clear or if there is CAD, the doctor will discuss options including Bypass or more often Stent placement.
Now they are saying something about sinus tachycardia. I had a stress test done today and it came back positive. Now they wanna do CTA of coronary something. Im confused, do i have to have surgery? What does the positive test mean. I am 23yrs female, with lots of questions and concerned. thank you.
This discussion is related to <a href='http://www.medhelp.org/posts/show/253230'>Sinus Tachycardia</a>.
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