Does Heart Catherization testing weaken your heart??

[katfondoo]

My sister is 53, overweight, but has lost 63 lbs in a year.  Yesterday she developed chest pains, on the first trip to hospital, after blood work and nitroquick, they sent her home.  Today she developed more pain, dry mouth, tingling hands and generally not feeling well, after call to our MD we took her back to hosp for stress test which will be run in am.  I was told by my cardiologist that heart catherization testing weakens the heart.  She has called from the hospital tonight.  DOES THIS TESTING WEAKEN THE HEART????  THANKS

[jim62]

Had not heard that one before.  There certainly are risks involved in getting a cath done, up to and including death, but I have never heard the one about "weakening" the heart.  I've had 5 done so far, and there are a lot of folks out there that have had more with no problems.

I believe that this would indicate that you need to be shopping for a new cardiologist.........

[dolfnlvr]

I second jim62's sentiments.  You should ask your cardiologist why he feels this is the case (maybe there is something else that we are not aware of) but if the answer is not a satisfying one, you might want to ask for a second opinion.

Good luck