Heart Disease Diagnosis

Recently Answered

• QWhat tests do I need before a cardiac catheterization?

  1 Answer

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  A Brigham and Women's Hospital answered

  You will need to visit your doctor to have the following done:
  

  • A review of your health history
  • A physical exam
  • Blood tests
  • Electrocardiogram (EKG)

  
  
• QShould I stop my blood thinner before having a cardiac catheterization?

  1 Answer

  A

  

  A Brigham and Women's Hospital answered

  It is important to call your doctor or warfarin manager if you are taking blood-thinning medications, such as Coumadin, Jantoven, warfarin, or Lovenox, to tell them you will be having a cardiac catheterization.
  
  Most patients are asked to stop taking warfarin or change to a different medication until their catheterization is complete. Patients who take blood-thinning medications will have a blood test done the morning of their catheterization.
• QWhat should I do after cardiac catheterization?

  2 Answers

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  A Intermountain Healthcare answered

  The following are what you should do after cardiac catheterization:
  

  • The first 48 hours: Watch for swelling or bleeding. The site will be bruised, but this should go away in a week or so. Avoid bending or squatting. Avoid intense activity such as climbing stairs, running, or lifting anything over 20 pounds. Take short walks (5 to 10 minutes) four or five times a day. Avoid constipation.
  • Care for the puncture site: Avoid hot baths, hot tubs or swimming pools for the first five days or until the wound is closed. Showers are okay after 24 hours, but don't let the spray hit the site. If the site is sealed with a special closure device, ask your doctor what you should watch for. In some cases, you might need to remove a dressing or pad.
  • Returning to work: When you go back to work depends on your physical condition and the nature of your job. Check with your doctor.

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• QWhy is a cardiac catheterization used?

  2 Answers

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  A Intermountain Healthcare answered

  Below are uses for cardiac catheterization:
  

  • Cardiac catheterization gives your healthcare providers detailed information about your heart. It is used to evaluate problems that keep the heart from functioning well, such as heart failure or valve disease. It is also used to diagnose coronary artery disease (CAD) -- a narrowing of the arteries that supply blood and oxygen to the heart.
  • Cardiac catheterization can help your doctor diagnose and prevent problems. For example, if you have CAD, you might experience shortness of breath or angina (chest discomfort), especially when you exercise. However, many people don't experience symptoms until the arteries are completely blocked. Angiography helps your doctor diagnose the problem so it can be treated before it causes any more damage.

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• QWhat should I know before a cardiac catheterization?

  1 Answer

  A

  

  A Brigham and Women's Hospital answered

  Before undergoing cardiac catheterization, it is important to tell your doctor if you are allergic to x-ray contrast dye. Your doctor can give you medication to prevent an allergic reaction like a rash, difficulty breathing, or nausea and vomiting.
• QWhat guidelines should I follow before cardiac catheterization?

  1 Answer

  A

  

  A Brigham and Women's Hospital answered

  The following precautions should be taken the night before undergoing cardiac catheterization:
  

  • Eat normally before midnight.
  • Do not eat or drink anything after midnight except a small sip of water with your medications.
  • Take all of your usual medications.
  • Take a full dose of aspirin, 325mg. total.
  • Take Plavix if prescribed.
  • Do not take blood thinning medication like Coumadin, Jantoven, or warfarin for 3 days before your procedure. Some patients may be placed on Lovenox after stopping Coumadin for 3 days.
  • Do not stop taking Plavix.

  If you have diabetes:
  

  • Take your usual dose of insulin the night before, including Lantus insulin.
  • If you take morning insulin, take only half of your usual dose.
  • If you take diabetes medication by mouth, do not take your diabetes medication the night before or the morning of your procedure.
• QWhat happens before cardiac catheterization?

  3 Answers

  A

  

  A Intermountain Healthcare answered

  Before cardiac catheterization:
  

  • A nurse will prepare the patch of skin where the catheter will be inserted.
  • An intravenous (IV) line will be placed to give you medication that makes you drowsy, and blood may be drawn for lab work.
  • You'll be moved to the cardiac cath lab. The room may feel cool, but you will be covered with sterile drapes. You can also ask for a blanket if you want.

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• QWhat happens after cardiac catheterization?

  2 Answers

  A

  

  A Intermountain Healthcare answered

  After cardiac catheterization:
  

  • You'll be moved to a recovery unit. You may need to lie flat for up to four to eight hours.
  • The insertion site may be held under pressure to prevent bleeding.
  • In case you have temporary numbness or weakness in your leg, special steps will be taken to make sure you're safe when you first get up. If you need to urinate and your leg is numb, it may not be safe to walk to the bathroom. You will use a urinal or bedpan instead.
  • In the first few hours, you may want to drink plenty of fluids to flush the contrast dye out of your body.

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• QWhat is a C-reactive protein (CRP) test?

  4 Answers

  A

  

  A Dr. Keith Roach, MD , Internal Medicine, answered

  

  The C-reactive protein (CRP) test is a measure of vascular inflammation, which can lead to many conditions including heart disease. Internal medicine specialist Keith Roach, MD, describes why the test is important and what the results indicate.

  

  Find out more about this DVD:

  What Is A C-Reactive Protein (CRP) Test?
  Buy DVD

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• QWhy is a stress myocardial perfusion scan performed?

  1 Answer

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  A Brigham and Women's Hospital answered

  A stress myocardial perfusion scan is used to assess the blood flow to the heart muscle (myocardium) when it is stressed by exercise or medication. Indications for an exercise or pharmacologic myocardial perfusion scan may include, but are not limited to, the following:
  

  • chest pain, either new onset or occurring over a period of days or longer
  • following a heart attack (myocardial infarction, or MI)
  • to assess blood flow to areas of the myocardium that have been reperfused (coronary artery blood flow restored) by bypass surgery, angioplasty (the opening of a coronary artery using a balloon or other method), or stent (a tiny expandable metal coil placed inside an artery to keep the artery open)

  There may be other reasons for your physician to recommend a myocardial perfusion scan.