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angiogram
I have just been scheduled for an angiogram and I'm scared to no end I have a 3 year old son I love to death same as my soon to be wife. I'm so scared something will go wrong during the surgery how coming are complications? Also my ej is 73 is this bad?
I am due to have an aortic valve replacement shortly and having angiogram next Saturday.
I think that I am having a TAVI rather than open heart surgery. I would be interested to know if there is anyone who has been involved in this treatment.
I think that I am having a TAVI rather than open heart surgery. I would be interested to know if there is anyone who has been involved in this treatment.
Okay, 24 y/o male, got it, LOL. I personally don't have any significant CAD issues. I've had two angiograms, both of them prior to valve replacement surgeries. The reason for the angiograms was to rule out the need for a bypass procedure to be done at the same time as the valve replacement. I didn't need a bypass, either time.
Lol I'm not female I'm not very computer handy and must have messed something up that's my fault. This is very helpful and somewhat calming. How long have you lived with cad and how'd you deal with it I'm so scared just thinking about it?
Oh, and I looked at your profile and saw that you are female, so I apologize for my mistake about that, too.
Good analogy to a plane crash. It happens, but it happens so rarely that the thought of it shouldn't keep you from getting on a plane if you need to.
You can die from cutting yourself in the garden, but the risk factors involved are very small. It's the same with an Angiogram, you could die, but this is highly unlikely to happen. The risks are just too small to worry about it. Even if something did go wrong, there is a team of experts in the cath lab with you, ready to deal with any circumstance. For example, I had 5 stents in one procedure and the blockage involved was a solid mass of calcium. The catheter slipped and went through the artery wall, causing me to bleed internally. The Cardiologist didn't panic at all, he simply said "oops, we have a bleed" and quickly stented over the area to stop it. These cardiologists know their stuff and what to do in the event of an emergency. While waiting for your turn, you will see other patients go in and be back out in about 20-40 mins. Just think each time you see this "another one with no problems". It's like boarding a plane, you think "hmm, is this the one that will crash". Even though statistically speaking it's very unlikely. I asked my Cardiologist "how many patients have you lost" when I had my first Angio, and I was as nervous as hell at that time. He said "I've performed thousands and lost no one, so don't think I will let you be the first".
I apologize for misunderstanding your age, joshua. Yes, I'm sure it has been a long year, with everything that you have gone through. As for your question about the risk of death from an angiogram, there is an extremely low mortality rate. It's not zero, but it's very, very low. I'm not sure if you have anything wrong that would increase the risk for you in particular. The doctors don't do an angiogram unless they feel the risk is justified.
This forum and everyone in it is helped me threw some very tough times thank you all I couldn't imagine what I'd be doing without this forum everyone is so nice and knowledgeable. Can you die from the angiogram if you have some of the stuff wrong that I have
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.
Just being a 73 year-old male puts you in a risk group for coronary artery disease (CAD), so the doctors have to rule that out, but as Flycaster remarked, the type of pain you're having isn't really the typical kind of pain that people have with CAD. The type of pain you are having sounds more musculoskeletal, to me. You could even be having pain from severe GERD or something going on with the esophagus. They have to look at the coronary arteries, though.
In the absence of any other good explanation, I would also, if it were me, want my aorta to be assessed and aortic dissection ruled out. Aortic dissections are rare, so you probably are NOT having one, but if those sharp stabbing pains are frequent, and if there is no other obvious cause for them, then I would want my doctor to be able to assure me that my aorta was healthy.
In the absence of any other good explanation, I would also, if it were me, want my aorta to be assessed and aortic dissection ruled out. Aortic dissections are rare, so you probably are NOT having one, but if those sharp stabbing pains are frequent, and if there is no other obvious cause for them, then I would want my doctor to be able to assure me that my aorta was healthy.
I've had the same number of Angiograms, but I would like to add something here. EF doesn't give an indication of artery status all of the time. From 2007 (first heart attack) until now (10 stents later), my EF has never fallen below 70%. Angiograms are the gold standard for seeing inside your coronary arteries and they can measure the blood flow rate/pressure anywhere in those arteries. After my 6th Angiogram, I had to ask them to start using my other leg because all the scar tissue was starting to get a bit painful with each new procedure.
On a personal note, there is nothing to fear. It's better to remain calm and see the fascinating technology with awe. You will see your own arteries on a large monitor above your chest, over to the left. The only discomfort is the local anaesthetic injection, which stings for about 5 seconds. After that, you wait in anticipation for them to open the artery in your leg, but suddenly you realise that they are already in and doing the work. You feel absolutely nothing. Sometimes they may inject a fair amount of the dye and this can cause a hot sensation in your body. So if you suddenly feel hot for a few seconds, don't panic, it is quite normal. During my last few Angiograms I was having long conversations with the Cardiologist, asking lots of questions. They really are nothing to be worried about. The longest Angiogram I've ever had lasted over 2 hours because 5 stents had to be inserted. Yours will be anywhere between 20-40 minutes. I would definitely empty your bladder about 10 mins before your procedure,the dye can excite your kidneys a bit, filling your bladder fast. When you are taken in, they will lay you down on a narrow table, and it's cold in that room. I would ask them to cover you with extra blankets so you stay warm. I usually have about 3 of them cause I hate the cold. You will also be given a few pills before the procedure, to thin your blood and lower the risk of clotting. In the UK we are given around 600mg of Plavix, That's 8x75mg pills, but some countries give 300mg. If you have any questions about the procedure, please ask, we have lots of experience to share. I promise you, nothing hurts and it is over before you know it.
On a personal note, there is nothing to fear. It's better to remain calm and see the fascinating technology with awe. You will see your own arteries on a large monitor above your chest, over to the left. The only discomfort is the local anaesthetic injection, which stings for about 5 seconds. After that, you wait in anticipation for them to open the artery in your leg, but suddenly you realise that they are already in and doing the work. You feel absolutely nothing. Sometimes they may inject a fair amount of the dye and this can cause a hot sensation in your body. So if you suddenly feel hot for a few seconds, don't panic, it is quite normal. During my last few Angiograms I was having long conversations with the Cardiologist, asking lots of questions. They really are nothing to be worried about. The longest Angiogram I've ever had lasted over 2 hours because 5 stents had to be inserted. Yours will be anywhere between 20-40 minutes. I would definitely empty your bladder about 10 mins before your procedure,the dye can excite your kidneys a bit, filling your bladder fast. When you are taken in, they will lay you down on a narrow table, and it's cold in that room. I would ask them to cover you with extra blankets so you stay warm. I usually have about 3 of them cause I hate the cold. You will also be given a few pills before the procedure, to thin your blood and lower the risk of clotting. In the UK we are given around 600mg of Plavix, That's 8x75mg pills, but some countries give 300mg. If you have any questions about the procedure, please ask, we have lots of experience to share. I promise you, nothing hurts and it is over before you know it.
What test determined your EF factor? An Echo and stress test is pretty accurate, but a stress test is just an approximation. You will know a lot more about your heart health after the procedure, they will determine your EF factor during the Angiogram. Your heart arteries will be mapped, any abnormalities noted.
I have advanced CAD, and have for close to fifteen years. I wasn't very careful with my health until fifteen years ago. You have an opportunity to have a great snapshot of your heart vascular condition, and can create a baseline for further treatments, if needed. I'll suggest that sharp, knifelike pains are seldom causes of CAD, I don't know if it is symptomatic of other heart issues. I've been associated with lots and lots of fellow heart patients over the years, and not once, ever, has a high EF factor been an issue. It's really, really rare.
Prior to your angiogram, you will be given a drug cocktail that will reduce stress. I'm told I was singing some tavern drinking songs as I was wheeled in for my last one. The hard part is staying still after the procedure.
I have advanced CAD, and have for close to fifteen years. I wasn't very careful with my health until fifteen years ago. You have an opportunity to have a great snapshot of your heart vascular condition, and can create a baseline for further treatments, if needed. I'll suggest that sharp, knifelike pains are seldom causes of CAD, I don't know if it is symptomatic of other heart issues. I've been associated with lots and lots of fellow heart patients over the years, and not once, ever, has a high EF factor been an issue. It's really, really rare.
Prior to your angiogram, you will be given a drug cocktail that will reduce stress. I'm told I was singing some tavern drinking songs as I was wheeled in for my last one. The hard part is staying still after the procedure.
I'm not sure what it'd be that's the scary part I don't no what would cause this pain. I didn't no if my ef was to high or not I usually hear them like 40 to 60. If you don't mind me asking why so many angiograms?
Angiograms are considered an invasive procedure, but they are very safe. I've had about a dozen with no more complication that a big bruise. You will be sedated, and won't remember much, and it will be pretty much painless.
Sharp pains are generally not cardiac in nature, but it is always wise to check out any chest pains, especially if you have high risk factors like obesity, diabetes, or certainly if you smoke.
If I had an Ejection Fraction of 73%, I'd be celebrating. I'm betting your procedure is being done to eliminate heart problems as a cause of your discomfort.
I bet that getting a splinter removed and getting an infection is as risky as an angiogram. Let us know what was discovered.
Sharp pains are generally not cardiac in nature, but it is always wise to check out any chest pains, especially if you have high risk factors like obesity, diabetes, or certainly if you smoke.
If I had an Ejection Fraction of 73%, I'd be celebrating. I'm betting your procedure is being done to eliminate heart problems as a cause of your discomfort.
I bet that getting a splinter removed and getting an infection is as risky as an angiogram. Let us know what was discovered.
I've been having stabbing pain that last for a second it comes and goes quickly no warning and does it randomly at anytime. It would be two inches diagonal from the center of were your ribs start at a 45 degree angle. I'd say its more sharp then anything its pry a 9 on pain scale almost want to cry.
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