Hi,
Sounds like you may have a partial blockage and they want to check it out.
A catherization is the most accurate way to investigate the blood vessels around the heart. It is a very common procedure and totally painless.
There is a very slight risk associated with the use of the dye and catheter, and with the x-ray dose. Nothing to worry about at all. You probably take a much greater risk just crossing the road.
(The way to look at it is the information they get from it far outweighs the slight risk in the treatment.)
You have not said whether you have any chest discomfort or other symptoms that led up to the testing. Typically, if there is a partial blockage you might have felt chest tightness of shortness of breath climbing stairs or with some other exertion. If not then they are still being thorough, following up the results from the ECG and chemical tests.
The situation might arise where they locate a partial blockage and they seek your advice to place a metal or plastic stent inside the blockage, to open it and improve blood flow. I suggest you discuss this possibility BEFORE you are in the operating room, so you know what to expect and they know how you feel. You could also discuss it with your GP, after reading the booklet. You should know what a metal stent is, and what a drug-eluding stent (DES) is, and how they work. (There are significant cost differences between metal and DES stents. If you have insurance check what they will cover.)
Again this is a common procedure. Your degree of discomfort in your everyday life will be a factor in this, as will the results they obtain. They will advise you what they think should be done and the probable outcome with your discomfort.
Hope this helps.
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