chest/arm pain

[john m]

i have had chest pain for 10 years,but latly been having arm pain
last few weeks. had ekgs 2 stress tests,1 thallium stress,2 echos
all normal,except for slight L ventricle/atrium dialation.arm pains are in all different areas of arms,somtimes they burn.my
cardio doc will do a cath if i want to would this b e wise. im37
colest.good, bloood pres. good,mom had stents at 61 but smoked.my chest pains somtimes last for long periods 6-8 hrs also get weak.
thank you!

[bill]

John, an MRI of your heart region may also be an option.  I had heart surgery four years ago and had the cath, which is considered the "gold" standard in diagnosis.  However, there was evidence that I had a hole (which I did).  I was told at the time that an MRI was about 90% effective for diagnosis.  Talk to your doc and this may be a noninvasive option.  One other note.  If you do have the cardiac cath tell them if you experience any hives when they inject the contrast dye.  I had them.  They are very rare but have to be immediately treated if you do.  I believe they gave me benedryl right away and they magically faded.  Good Luck. Bill

[Cleveland Clinic, MD]

Dear John,
This is up to you and your doctor.  It seems that all your tests have been normal so far, so there is a lochance of finding anything on cath.  Some people however are not comfortable until every possible test has been done to exclude coronary blockages, so it is not entirely unreasonable to get a cath.