Cath or No Cath - Update! - Heart Disorders Message Board

laura3377 · 05-11-2007, 04:51 PM

Well, I've been struggling for a quite some time now with some disturbing symptoms that I feel are related to my heart. I've had numerous tests which all come out normal. The only test I've not had yet is a cath so the Dr. called me today and said if I was really still bothered by my symptoms he will set me up for a cath. Now, I really do need some peace of mind as my symptoms are keeping me from being active. However, I am now scared to death of doing the cath. Any words of encouragement or advice? I have listed my tests below.

Echo - normal
Numerous EKGs - normal
Nuclear Stress Test - normal
Stress Echo (3 in the last 3 years) - normal
Chest x-ray - normal
Chest CT Scan - normal
D-Dimer - normal
Cholesterol - TC 179, 88 LDL, 82 HDL, 42 Triglycerides
hs-CRP - .2

I do not know my family history as I am adopted but otherwise no high blood pressure, diabetes, not overweight and don't smoke. However, have been under ALOT of stress the past three years and have not been active during this time either as I have some sort of connective tissue/fibromyalgia thing going on.

confused32 · 05-11-2007, 08:04 PM

What symptoms are you suffering with?? I also have had all these test and still worry about my symptoms and i was told i could have a cath but i have not decided to do it yet. I have symptoms off and on. Jaw pain, left arm pain, chest pain, dizziness, SOB, palps. I was told my heart is fine since all my test show that but i still worry but not sure if i want to risk a cath and something go wrong when i actually have no heart issue.

laura3377 · 05-11-2007, 08:22 PM

I have a lot of the same symptoms. In fact, I think we have responded to each other on here before or maybe the Fibro board. I'm glad to know someone feels how I do. I have SOB, heart palps, fatigue, pain on left side, jaw pain, and now I've been having some upper back pain. The upper back pain is pretty constant and has been for a few weeks now so not sure it is really heart related.

I know the cath is pretty safe but then I start thinking what if something goes wrong and it was for nothing. On the other hand, I would like to put this issue to rest and feel like this is the only way to do it.

Toneman · 05-11-2007, 08:52 PM

I have been where you are, I have experienced chest pain and palps for over 3 years. Like you I have had many tests, a complete cardiac work up every year with echos, blood work and nuclear stress tests and they always come back normal. I have no other real risk factors other than I'm a 49 year old male that is a little overweight, but on a strict exercise program and have lost 50 pounds in the past year.

When my last set of tests came back normal, I asked my carido about a cath and she flat out refused to do it. She said the risk of complication was just too great and more than what she felt the likelyhood was of finding anything significant. She actually told me that she would refer me to another cardiologist if I wanted to go forward with a cath. I am no doctor and only you know your body, but for me, it just was not worth the 3% risk of complications so I decided to go on with my life unless I had a change in symptoms. I remember reading one post in particular when I asked this question on another board, by the way, that cardiologist on that board also said he would not reccommend the cath. In this post, a woman with the same situation, went ahead with the cath and the cardiologist ended up dissecting her LAD and she ended up with an emergency bypass. Not for me, I just started exercising and if I experience something new then I'll get one done.

It's your decision, and I know from personal experience a tough one.

Good Luck either way!

Tony