No symptoms now; stress test 2 years ago was normal. Should we question going straight for angiogram which has more risks--shouldn't we try a less invasive test like MRI or CT scan first?
2007-12-02 06:07:31 · 8 answers · asked by S E 2 in Health ➔ Diseases & Conditions ➔ Heart Diseases
An angiogram gives the clearest picture of your heart's arteries. Doctors don't recommend them lightly. Consider yourself lucky.
My doctors waited too long for an angiogram, and I need a triple bypass the next DAY. I had been having odd problems for 4 years.
Two of three "widow-maker" arteries were 99% blocked. They were afraid I would not make it to the next afternoon.
Complications are about 1 in 1200. Fatal heart attacks occur about 50% of the time.
Which odds do you like better, 50/50 for life or death risking a heart attack, or 1199/1200 for life with a successful angiogram ?
2007-12-02 09:00:17 · answer #1 · answered by Laurence W 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If something was seen as possibly life threatening on the Stress Test ECG, then then Angiogram is a very wise decision, if they see any blocked coronary arteries, they can remove the blockage while they are in there. There are very few other non invasive tests that could compare with a stress test, however, there has been false positives seen on a stress test before. Ask him about an MRI before the angiogram and the reason he wanted to do the angiogram so quickly. This is something that should be done with some speed, depending on what the problem really is.
2007-12-02 18:14:06 · answer #2 · answered by TMD 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
An angiogram/cardiac catheterization is the best way to definitively rule out coronary artery disease. Since you've had an abnormal stress test, I'd rather go ahead and have the angiogram than another expensive test that may also have abnormal readings and you'd end up in the cath lab anyway!
If you do end up going through with the cath...ask your doctor is he/she is an interventionalist too (meaning he/she will also fix what he finds while he's doing the diagnostic cath), otherwise you'll possibly need to have a second cath to fix any possible blockages they find. Some cardiologists only do diagnostic angiograms, and then refer to a interventional cardiology for the stenting. I'd highly recommend having this procedure done at a hospital that performs open heart surgery as well, that usually means they do more procedures there than a smaller facility would....
Good luck!
2007-12-02 19:47:56 · answer #3 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
An angiogram is the most definitive test to have. With an MRI or Ct scan they is always a probability factor and if something was wrong then they would ask for an angiogram. Better to go for the angiogram then you will know for sure and won't need any other tests..........
2007-12-02 19:03:15 · answer #4 · answered by CDRN 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Current practice indicates looking at the vessels immediately (angiogram) and opening whichever vessel is the offender. Doing other tests that cannot show the blood flow or lack of blood flow is a waste of time. Angiograms are safe, take only about 30 - 45 minutes and if you have an occluded vessel, they can place a stent to keep it open. Time is muscle and you need to get this done as soon as possible. By waiting, you are placing yourself at risk for a heart attack followed by heart damage if there is an occlusion present.
2007-12-02 14:34:08 · answer #5 · answered by J B 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you're questioning your doctor's advice, seek another opinion. You are right, though, an angio is more invasive than an MRI or CT. It is very possible for something to change overnight- our bodies do this all the time. It would also depend on what area of the body your doctor is concerned about- angios can be used in situations other than heart disease. Ask your doctor why he recommends this procedure first, and why not one of the others? Maybe he has a specific reason. Good luck!
2007-12-02 14:27:40 · answer #6 · answered by lrfmedic 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm a little confused here. A stress test is very invasive not an angi-gram. An angi-gram takes about seven seconds, a stress test about an hour. Are you sure you have these right?
A stress test two years ago can and will change overnight. And, why an MRI or a CAT for a heart, you'd want a deep scan for this. You've got your tests mixed up.
2007-12-02 14:18:25 · answer #7 · answered by cowboydoc 7 · 0⤊ 4⤋
You wouldn't have a dog, and bark yourself.
So don't have a doctor, and make decisions about diagnosis and treatment yourself.
2007-12-02 14:17:41 · answer #8 · answered by jotacar 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋