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Heart Disease (Expert Forum)
Heart
This forum is for questions and support regarding heart issues such as: Angina, Angioplasty, Arrhythmia, Bypass Surgery, Cardiomyopathy, Coronary Artery Disease, Defibrillator, Heart Attack, Heart Disease, High Blood Pressure, Mitral Valve Prolapse, Pacemaker, PAD, Stenosis, Stress Tests.
Heart
by Veronica Wilson, Oct 22, 1999 12:00AM
Two years ago I underwent two angioplasty procedures. Currently I am having some chest pain which radiates up and into the left shoulder area, occasionally numbness in the left arm, shortness of breath, sometimes when walking up stairs, sometimes when going down stairs. I awake in the middle of the night with arrymethias and sometimes when sitting at my desk. I also have a light headed feeling when the shortness of breath comes on. About three weeks ago I had a stress test which looked good. I have had some lung tests done which also look okay. I have been told that I would need to have another heart catherization to see what is going on. I threw a blood clot from the last heart cat two years ago and had to undergo groin bypass surgery. I am very afraid of going through this procedure again, but am afraid not to. Could you make any suggestions as to what should be looked at and any possible explanations for my symptoms. Any response would be greatly appreciated.
Doctor's Answer
by CCF CARDIO MD - DLB, Oct 22, 1999 12:00AM
Given your past history and current symptoms, I agree that a repeat cardiac catheterization sounds reasonable. The cardiologist will look for any recurrence of blockage at the previous angioplasty sites, or for any new blockages that might require angioplasty or coronary bypass surgery. While there are risks to catheterization, it is unlikely that you will have another problem like before.
