Because I've been having shortness of breath and little energy for some time now I will be having an Angiogram shortly to detect if it is the heart that is causing it.
I would be grateful to anyone who's had this procedure for some encouraging feedback to allay the fears I am feeling as I wait to have mine.
I had mine last October and I will tell you it was probably the easiest thing I have ever done and im the biggest chicken there is !!! I would rather have the angio then an IV....I didnt feel a thing and remember this...you are in VERY good hands.
I had mine thru the wrist because im not overweight and have normal size wrists so that was the best. I had an LAD stent at the same time and was back home a few hours later and biking a day or so after...It really is a pc of cake, no lie
I had mine last October and I will tell you it was probably the easiest thing I have ever done and im the biggest chicken there is !!! I would rather have the angio then an IV....I didnt feel a thing and remember this...you are in VERY good hands.
I had mine thru the wrist because im not overweight and have normal size wrists so that was the best. I had an LAD stent at the same time and was back home a few hours later and biking a day or so after...It really is a pc of cake, no lie
Thank you so much for that CVCMAN. I've been so concerned and haven't spoken to anyone about my fear, putting on a brave face for my family and pretending I'm fine about it. Your post has eased my mind somewhat. I suppose the waiting for the hospital appointment hasn't helped. I would have preferred it if the Consultant had said he would do it there and then before I had time to think.
Thanks again. I'll post when I get the date for the procedure and let you know how I fared after it's done.
Bless you.
Cardico.
1) age
1a) height
2) weight
3) male or female ( i assume female )
4) family history of heart problems ?
5) recent heart work ups ie; stress test ? echocardiogram? EKG ? Blood work ?
6) taking any meds ? If so what ?
I had an Angiogram in Oct 2009 and suffered a cardiac arrest during the proceedure.
I was resuscitated with the help of a defibrilator.
If you have severe blockage of the Left Coronary Artery you may have a cardiac arrest - however, the risk is small.
I have just had one done and agree with cvc man. There is nothing to fear. If you are on aspirin or other blood thinner ask if it should be stopped well in advance of the test. Some places ask you to stop, others do not. In my experience, if the aspirin is not stopped it may cause some issues and extra care has to be taken. Angiograms are good diagnostic tests and, if a treatment (intervention) is required, it is often done at the same time.
Good luck!
flowergirl
The Following User Says Thank You to flowergirl2day For This Useful Post: Cardico (09-06-2011)
1) age
1a) height
2) weight
3) male or female ( i assume female )
4) family history of heart problems ?
5) recent heart work ups ie; stress test ? echocardiogram? EKG ? Blood work ?
6) taking any meds ? If so what ?
I'm 77. 5ft 2ins. No family heart problems. Had ECG. Only meds are Furosimide to reduce fluids around the heart. And yes, I'm female. (What man would pick a pink teddy bear for a logo? lol)
No problem, cardico. I have them done regularly and they are indeed a piece of cake. Of course, we expect an update once you have had yours!!!
Best of luck! I KNOW you will be just fine. You see, that is all they do in cath labs-they are very experienced and so incredibly well synchronized it always amazes me.
flowergirl
The Following User Says Thank You to flowergirl2day For This Useful Post: Cardico (09-06-2011)
77 yrs old huh, well I wouldn't have guess that from your "internet slang" but ok..
1) current weight ??
Ooops! I didn't notice that. 11st 4lbs at the last count. As for my age, I look 10 years younger, and feel 20 years younger (on a good day). Most retired Entertainers do stay in good nick as they grow older.
Thank goodness Vyking knows. I still work in metric.
I forgot to tell you that my doctor put me on ISISORBIDE MONONITRATE a couple of weeks ago and they made me violently ill. I refused to take any more after the first day and she's now made a note on her PC that I'm not to have them ever again. It's odd really because the strength of them was the lowest at 10mg, and she told me afterwards that she has patients who are taking 60mg twice a day without any adverse effects.
humm well you do need to drop some weight at 5'2" tall 158 is too heavy, but im sure you know that. If you dropped 30 pounds you would probably have much more energy...but that being said are you a smoker ? either current or past ??
Im thinking they may find no issues with your heart and I hope they do not. Is this tiredness something new ??
Your advice is exactly what I keep giving to my son and daughter-in-law. lol. "Lose some weight!!" Easier said than done, I'm afraid. But I have lost a bit these past few weeks. Doc weighed me today. 11st 13lbs. So a 5 lb loss. And I am now on one Aspirin a day, and one Bisoprolal Frumarate, recommended by the Consultant to see if that helps me.
I gave up smoking in 1981.
I did start to gain weight around 8 years ago when I moved house to where I am now. I guess I felt then that it was time for me to slow down and enjoy the pleasures of retirement. (I had a long career in the Entertainment industry that had me travelling all over the country at times, and keeping crazy time schedules) Although I haven't sat around on my *@! doing nothing these past few years. I have a zest for knowledge and learning new skills so have filled my time with adult education classes, Art (I paint), jewellery making, computers, to mention but a few. Busy busy busy!
Anyway, I hope you're thoughts that my weight might be the problem is right, but I'll just have to wait and see.
It's been a pleasure chatting to you about my present health predicament. Thanks for that.
Cardico
I have had angio around 8 times. Have always been aprehensive about it. My doctor gives me a does of versaid before and all the worries go away. One minute you are waiting on it to start and the next second it is over. Never knew it even happened. Miracles through modern drugs. You can't beat it.
All kidding aside it isn't bad at all. But it is unnerving when someone in going to do something to your heart.
The Following User Says Thank You to GlenS For This Useful Post: Cardico (09-19-2011)
Angiogram fears 
Re: Angiogram fears 
Re: Angiogram fears 
Re: Angiogram fears 
I didn't notice that. 11st 4lbs at the last count. As for my age, I look 10 years younger, and feel 20 years younger (on a good day). 
Most retired Entertainers do stay in good nick as they grow older. 
