Kinda Scared

Hi everybody! I was sent to a cardiologist last friday because I was having chest pains, (I think it's gastric but they always start with the heart) anyways I didn't pass the stress test duh!! big surprise and he wants to do a heart cath. Scheduled for Monday I'm really nervous. I'm not sure if I'm more nervous about the test itself or what they may find. In the meantime I'm still having chest discomfort. Anyone had a heart cath before? Thanks Mel B.

I never had a heart cath before, but I did have chest pains that landed me in the hospital, and turned out to be my gall bladder! They were about to do a heart cath, and decided to do an ultrasound first, and found the gall stones (the size of golf balls). Maybe they can do an ultrasound first on yours? Cindee

Golf balls --- eek!

Thanks guys I knew I could count on you two lol. They told they needed to rule out heart first. I would love an ultrasound instead believe me. Hubby told me to eat fried food that would tell if it was gallbladder. Guess we'll find out soon enough. Mel B.

Hey, Mel, call me before you eat that fried food. I've had a GB attack and it makes you PRAY for a heart attack. Do you have my number? I would like to talk to you about a New U/practice matter if you are up to it. Thanks, Frances

Hey Frances I don't have your number. But I would love to talk to ya!! Mel

Hey mel, I actually work in the cath lab..You will be fine, the procedure is essentially painless, and you can even watch the monitor as they inject the dye into your coronary arteries...Don't worry too much, and I hope it all goes well for you.. Vanessa

Thanks Vanessa I appreciate your response. I'm just ready to get it over with. Thanks again Mel B

Mel, I have been there, I have had 3 heart caths. The first one at age 32 and had 98% blockage in my main artery. I had triple bypass at age 35. But that's jumping the gun, and of course the worst case scenio. I was shocked and mad when I woke up to discover I had heart disease. But I woke up w/out back pain for the first time in about 10 years. Women tend to have back pain with blockages. My pain was in the shoulder bland region.Nothing eased the dull pain until the blockage was opened. Don't despair, I know several people that had heart caths after mine and they were fine. They all had other causes for their chest pain, it was not heart disease. The heart cath is painless, and you are out of it enough you are not "scared" once the procedure is in being done. I hope all goes well for you. If you have any questions I will be glad to answer them if I can. Angela