Right heart catheterization

[Wickel]

My 87-year-old mother recently received an echocardiogram, which revealed she had high levels of hypertension. But despite this result, her doctor recommended she go through the right heart cath procedure to verify the results. My mother is generally strong and in good shape, although she is on oxygen and sometimes tires easily. My question: Is it advisable--at her age--to proceed with the right heart cath? Or would she be better off treating herself through medications?

[Healthyself2]

I hate to say it, but I think that sometimes these proposals have more to do with financial benefit than for what makes the most sense for the patient.  That cath lab makes money like nothing else and they have to keep moving people through there.

[Cleveland Clinic]

I would probably pick the conservative route with medical therapy.  If there was no response at that point, I might reconsider.  I agree that because of her age, any invasive test should be strongly reconsidered.