posted
Just came back from my cardiologist and we discussed the possibility of an angiogram.
Had both stress tests, treadmill and chemically induced and they were fine. Had cardiac ultrasound that was also normal.
Have had multiple EKG's that were normal and 1 that wasn't. He said it was because of bad conduction?
Here's my point and question. I keep having chest pressure and when I tell the Dr. he feels that he should do something to address it.
He states he's 90% sure that I'm okay and the pressure is from lyme. I tend to agree with him but he's starting to encourage me to think about an angiogram if the pressure doesn't ease up.
I'm am soooo mistrustful of medical procedures and prefer just to continue with lyme treatment and see if the pressure goes away. Yes, it is worse during a herx.
Who here has had an angiogram? I'd love to hear your experiences and results as well as any other feedback or comments. Thanks!
Posts: 460 | From Illinois | Registered: Aug 2005
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posted
i would do it. you can rule out pretty big "scare" with that test. if it's negative, you now it's lyme; if not, you get treatment. the procedure is fairly standard especially if performed at an academic hospital.
posted
I've not had one but I'm a cardiac nurse. The main risks of the procedure are: reaction to the dye bleeding kidney damage from the dye perforation of a coronary artery, which means emergency coronary bypass blood clot
These are the main complications, they rarely happen though.
The chemical stress test is about 95% reliable.
The heart cath does not show conduction. It just shows blockages.
Things to consider are your age, sex, family history of heart disease, high cholesterol, high blood pressure.
I would consider all the above in making a decision.
Good luck
Posts: 340 | From Ohio | Registered: Oct 2005
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posted
i would, of course, defer to the above response.
for conduction problems, try to get set up with either an event monitor or a holter monitor, or both (not at the same time).
Posts: 109 | Registered: Aug 2005
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posted
Patilynn--How cool is this that I stumbled upon a cardiac nurse on lymenet?
When you say the chemical stress test is 95% accurate, does it measure conduction issues and blockage issues? And since I've had that procedure, doesn't that pretty much indicate that I'm okay?
I will be 50 this year and have been struggling so much with my overall health from the lyme that I'm hesitant at best to have any procedure that may set me back further.
Thanks for the feedback Newdurham, I'm lucky to be at a major hospital for the procedure if I elect to have it.
Anyone else?
Posts: 460 | From Illinois | Registered: Aug 2005
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posted
The normal stress test indicates you "probably" don't have any significant blockages in the coronary arteries. There's still the 5% who show false positive or false negative. If people still have symptoms despite normal stress, sometimes the cardiologist will recommend an angiogram. You would have to consider the risks vs. benefits.
As far as conduction goes, a holter monitor will show your heart rhythm continuously for 24 hours or there's another one called King of Hearts monitor which is worn for several weeks.
The other option is, and I don't know if you are having arrythymias or racing heart, skipped beats etc.. there are cardiologist who specialize in the conduction of the heart. They are called EP or electrophysiology cardiologist.
Glad to help in any way I can.
Patti
Posts: 340 | From Ohio | Registered: Oct 2005
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bettyg
Unregistered
posted
4 years ago this month I had angiogram since 1 of heart tests showed blockage in 1 artery.
Went well; interestng watching the wire go up & around so have clean eye glasses! Mine was NORMAL so no balloon was necessary.
Inserting the needle hurt a little but what really hurt was dr. holding down on insertion area when he removed needle!
With our fibro, he bruised me bad for 3 wks! So I'd caution him on that if you have fibro too!
Afterward bled a little thru; no problems. In/out in 4 hrs. They have you walk afterwards.
They give you a card saying what was done for your billfold. Glad I had it done to relieve stress of ... do I have major problems or not.
How lucky to have had a cardio nurse speak out!
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