angiogram angst

[bluefields409]

Had angiogram on Friday and just got home. Was one of a very few that had a bump or two throughout the testing and I must confessed I am a tad (understatement) fed up.

Please indulge my need to vent a wee bit as I had hoped this testing would get me to the point where something could be done to bring me closer to feeling better and resuming a full and active life which I had hoped BAV replacement ultimately would accomplish.

My BP was a bit high going in, but they did decide to go ahead .I swear they did not wait enough time for freezing to take affect as did I ever jump with the 2nd incision. :eek2: They did artery and vein as both right and left sides of heart were checked. I heard a mumbled "sorry about that".

Things were going ok, and I watched the screen but then a bump with BP which , as I last can recall,was 230/145, heart rate 121 ,arrhythmia and discomfort. Next bump arose as result in bringing BP down, I crashed. Kinda foggy about all that went on after. I do remember at some point, in recovery, cath's still in place as BP too high to remove.BY time BP was down enough , had to refreeze before removing caths and clamping. That was fun
I expected a clamp like I use to keep a bag of chips closed. Sheesh!! :rolleyes2:

WOOD vise would be more accurate!!

5 hours of sand bag once clamp/caths finally removed, but BP was still unstable and up and down like a yoyo. I won't bore anyone with the rest of the experience.

Good news is that coronary arteries are fine. The DR who spoke to me after things settled down said surgery to replace valve, although it is worsening, is not the answer at this point in time as he fell BP was the cause of all symptoms.

I told him up to a few years ago I could walk 5km or more, without getting breathless, no pain, no dizziness, no syncope etc.

I told him that NOW, BP is actually better controlled overall NOW but basic housework will have me huffing and puffing, walking etc or anything too strenuous I experience SOB, angina yada yada....

He asked me if i could run 1 km, I said no way. He shrugged and walked away. End of "consult"

What I was unhappy with was the doctors attitude. He was very dismissive when i told him I have had high BP all my life with no symptoms until valve changes coincided and were confirmed by echo and MRI.

I understand the need to proceed cautiously and make sure everything is at best to ensure a successful outcome without unnecessary and/or minimal risks etc.

I know the risks of surgery and this pesky BP, anemia etc is making this process more challenging but I do object to being made to feel stupid. I also do not want to do this even one day sooner than necessary and only if the outcome will be positive and improve my stamina for day to day life etc.

So..again forgive my rant but I feel somewhat defeated, and frustrated.

Oh well.... getting comfy again in the waiting room...

 

[Lynlw]

I'm sorry you had such a tough time with the cath (both my Mom and Justin had some very bad cath experiences, so I know a little how scarey it can be. Do they have any idea why your BP went so high or you crashed? IF they didn't say what might have caused it,(drugs, dye, "bumped" something ect. I would want to know their thoughts and if there is anything they could do different if you needed another cath in the future.
and after all of that to be told they don't recomend surgery yet. Is this your regular cardiologist that did the cath and talked to you afterward or a different doctor?
I'm also very sorry the doctor seemed to blow off all of your concerns. IF it wasn't your regular cardiologist, maybe they will offer better suggestions and really listen to you. IF it was your Cardiologist, maybe it is time to get a second opinion.

 

[ottagal]

Sorry to hear about your bad experience at the cath lab.
I am echoing Lyn's words. It can be very upsetting and frustrating when you feel 'dismissed' by your cardiologist. I hope he/she is not your regular and you will have an opportunity to sort this out with another cardio. Another thought... if you have a good relationship with your family physician, perhaps you could bring your concerns up with him/her.

Thinking of you,

 

[Jkm7]

I'm so sorry what you experienced and the attitude of this doctor. I'd definitely be seeking a second opinion.

Best Wishes.

 

[normofthenorth]

Sounds awful, and in "my" institution, too. Yikes, and Good Luck from a similarly-situated neighbour (though one with medium-low BP)!

I've always had med-low BP, but I got an unusually high reading (for me) while waiting for my Angio. I didn't feel especially panicky, but the reading was at least 15 points higher than I'd ever seen before. After it was over, the readings were back to my lower-than-average normal. "The BP of a teenager," one sweet-talking nurse said. Now, if that were enough to preserve my BAV and Aortic root. . .

 

[bluefields409]

Thank you for the kind responses.

To clarify, this was a doctor whom I had not seen before I had the angio. My specialist (Dr. Crean) at the Munk clinic referred me, after our consult and he had reviewed echo & MRI results, to this dr @ western for angio.

My cardiolite -no exercise stress test that was originally scheduled for tomorrow was cancelled as angio was pushed up. It would be a moot test anyway as I don't believe it would give more info than angiogram.

I plan on calling my regular cardiologist tomorrow am and ask to see him asap. At my appt with him last Monday he said to me he felt valve should be replaced and the "other" issues can be dealt with after.

From my research there are options to deal with anemia (transfusion)or meds to counteract the joys of perimenopause and IV meds to make BP stable so surgery could be done if decided it was urgent.

So here i sit, valve being moderately severe, with symptoms but without a consensus yet as how to proceed.

In fairness, Dr. Crean did have concerns that surgery may not be the full resolution of health issues but at least I didn't feel like an idiot after meeting with him.

I am over my and am aware of the blessing to have tests, doctors and medical assistance available. :thumbup:

Thanks again for encouragement. Blessings to all.

~Blue