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Before Cardiac Catheterization - Cardiac Catheterization - Before Cardiac Catheterization

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Before cardiac catheterization, you will meet with your cardiologist, a doctor who specializes in the heart. The doctor will ask you about your medical history, including what medicines you are taking and any allergies you may have, and do a physical exam. Your doctor will also give you instructions on how to prepare for the procedure.

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\n Diagnostic tests and procedures \n
- Cardiac Catheterization - Before Cardiac Catheterization

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You may have some of the following tests before your catheterization procedure:

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  • Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) to look at your heart\u2019s rhythm and other electrical activity of your heart. It can show arrhythmias, heart attacks, and other problems with the heart.
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  • Chest X-ray to look at your lungs, your heart, your major blood vessels, and other structures in the chest.
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  • Echocardiogram (echo) to look at the structure and function of your heart.
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  • Stress test to look at how well your heart works during physical stress. The stress may be physical exercise such as walking on a treadmill, or it may be a medicine given to have the same effect.
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  • Cardiac CT scan to look for narrowing of your heart\u2019s blood vessels, and problems with the heart, larger blood vessels, and heart valves. These pictures also may help your doctor plan for procedures to open the coronary arteries.
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  • Cardiac MRI to provide information on the structure and function of your heart, as well as the type and severity of heart disease.
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  • Blood tests, including a complete blood count (CBC), to check your hemoglobin and platelet levels; blood chemistry tests to check how well your liver and kidneys are working; and tests to check your blood\u2019s ability to clot.
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\n Preparing for the procedure \n
- Cardiac Catheterization - Before Cardiac Catheterization

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Talk to your doctor about your medical history, including any medicines you take, other surgical procedures you have had, and any medical conditions you have, such as diabetes or kidney disease.

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Your doctor will talk to you about how to prepare for the procedure, including:

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  • When to arrive at the hospital and where to go
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  • When you should stop eating or drinking
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  • If and when you should start or stop taking medicines
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  • How long you should expect to stay
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  • What happens during the procedure
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  • What to expect after the procedure, including potential complications, such as bleeding or soreness
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  • Instructions to follow after the procedure, including what medicines to take
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Syndicated Content Details:
Source URL: https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/subscribe/3981
Source Agency: National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)
Captured Date: 2019-03-29 16:26:00.0
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