Angiogram-The ONLY Definitive Test

[jerry78]

FACT:  Ultrafast CT scanning can only detect calcified plaque, and thus does not show the more dangerous, narrowing, soft plaque.

FACT:  The gold-standard, Exercise stress-test, in MOST cases, only reveals 70 % or more in blockages.  There have been numerous documented cases of absolutly normal stress tests in people with severe blockages, even 100 % occulsion.

So, my question Doctor, is why not use an angiogram as a routine diagnostic tool to determine cardiac health and risk?
It's pretty unassuring to a middle aged male to have a normal stress test, and have the underlying fear that perhaps there is major blockages, and a cardiac event can occur at any time...

[CCF-M.D.-CRC]

Dear jerry,
True on both counts and some doctors would agree with you.  The problem with doing a heart cath on everyone is that it is an invasive procedure and is associated with risk (albeit low)  of complications.  Thus you would not want to expose someone in whom there was a low chance of finding coronary artery disease to a potentially dangerous test when there are safer alternatives.  In the final analysis it comes down to the clinical judgement of the doctor.  If he/she feels there is a high likelihood of finding coronary artery disease he/she may go directly to a heart cath.  If on the other hand the likelihood of coronary disease is lower then a non-invasive test may be the first choice.

[sheryl]

Please somebody help me; I'm very scared.  Angiogram showed two arteries 60% blocked; they told me they don't do anything til they're like 70 or 75% blocked.  Is there a way I can "clean out" my arteries by diet?  I'm eating oatmeal daily and staying away from fatty foods.  I absolutely DREAD a bypass; yet angioplasty would not scare me.  Can angioplasty be done on TWO arteries?  Please somebody answer me.  Thank you.

[browser2]

At 53 and quite active I have just been told that my shortness of breath is due to a faulty aortic valve regurgitating blood back into the heart. I have also been told that I need to consider an immediate valve replacement before my heart gets too big because of having to work harder. I may also have narrowed vains and I am to have an angeogram within the next few weeks. I have read QA's on the subject but wondered if anyone had gone through an angeogram and subsequent heart surgery. What kind of valve would you reccomend and what would you do different if you had to go through the same again?
regards
browser2

[turttle]

I am 42 and suffered from pulmanary imbolism about one and half years ago. Then I started have some chest pains under what I consider minor excertion, so I went back to regaler doctor and he sent me to a cardiologist. He ran a stress thallium and has decide that I should have and angiogram the 22Feb.02 and also place a greenfield filter in the main artery coming out of my legs to prevent any future blood clots from my legs going to my heart and possibly cause more damage to my heart.  I am not scared because I figure if it's my time to die no one can change it anyway.

[tayjay]

I am so frightened , I have been told I have pulmonary hypertension, and the dr wants to do a angiogram on me as an out pt., I have never had tis or anything like this done although the dr. said its just a simple test I am frightened of the side affects can anyone tell me how its done? and if there is danger in this?

[Deano0]

A related discussion, Aorta Stenosis Operation was started.