Do you think I should get a heart cath done

[Kedeck]

All the test that I did for my heart have all came back normal. But i still have low to minor chest pain and it can happen anytime. My doctor says it might be wall chest pain but i had it for two months now and I heard was chest pains go away after two weeks at the most. But he said that sense i've been exercising alot here lataly that could be the cause of my chest pain to. I also take birth control and I might have sleep apana. But the question is should i get a heart cath done to make sure i don't have Cornary artary deseaise. My dad had a heart attack four months ago. My doctor says i shouldn't get it done and said i should ask my family befor getting it done but i'm just afaid that something bad might happen if i don't get it done. Oh I'm 21 and over waight so yeah.

[kenkeith]

I had a CT scan a couple of years ago that did an angiogram and calcium score. That may be a good choice for you as the test involves the respiratory system, the heart and coronary vessels, and down to the descending aorta.  The test will view the lumen (channel) and the in between layers of the vessel for any beginning of CAD.  It will also provide a later reference if necessary.

All answers provide useful information that should help you with a doctor consulation. take care,

Ken

[vienna13]

CATH

[vienna13]

If you exercise a lot still overweight then STOP eating that much, also If all the tests are normal, then just relax, stop worrying, put your energies in dieting instead of spending time with a nonsense like considering a CAT… NO you do not need it!  Period!

[ed34]

Or a stress echo, which has no radioactive isotopes involved. Do you think in many cases a bit of knowledge is a bad thing? For example, I know a few people with a 30-40% blockage but this is nothing, yet to them it feels like the end of the world and worries them half to death. They wonder every day if the blockage is increasing and analyse their bodies every minute of the day. Do you think just knowing that the heart muscle is functioning properly is sufficient? when there are no symptoms?

[curmudgen]

If you can get your doctor to order a CTA scan that would be a non-invasive cath...almost as good as a regular cat without the risk factors.  

[nagrajjain]

If CAD is suspected and there is unbearable chaste pain that can not be managed with medicine then one may think of going for angiography. Angiography is to be done only if angioplasty or bypass surgery is to be done not other-wise.

[erijon]

I would not have a cath under your circumstances. It s a very invasive procedure with a real risk. If your exercise tolerance is good you most likely will not find any heart disease. I would follow my doctor's advice.

[ed34]

"and it can happen anytime"

By this I assume you mean it can even happen when you are relaxing. Due to this, I would say "no" to a cath. The reason is, if you have any form of artery disease, then the symptoms would appear only when you exercise and the more you exercise, the worse they will get.
"and I heard was chest pains go away after two weeks at the most"
I don't know who told you this, but it's totally untrue. A pulled muscle can last several months, especially in the chest. Every cough, sneeze, movement can slow repair time. I had a pulled chest muscle which lasted 5 months but I know people who have had them longer. With your age and being female, you are at a lower risk than males for having artery disease too.