I’m taking an unexpected vacation in the hospital and need a heart cath tomorrow to hopefully figure out why my heart rate is low. Anyone had one?
@kkmama, I’m sorry you’re not chatting with us from a more pleasant spot. My dad had one many years ago – I think because his rate was irregular. Anyway, the doctors were able to figure out his issue and address it.
I’ve had two – one in the very early days of their doing them (think 1962) which I don’t really remember (thank goodness) and one in 1978. That one I remember. I was more anxious than anything else.but they gave me Good Drugs in the IV so I was very relaxed. They put some sort of radioactive dye in the IV so they could photograph the way the blood flowed, and that permitted them to make their diagnosis. (I had a congenital defect that was then fixed surgically.) They entered through the femoral artery, which is in the groin. So they had to do some shaving in that area. But, if I recall correctly, I was back in my room in an hour. Had to remain in bed for a few hours to make sure the incision at the artery didn’t bleed.
I imagine in the intervening almost-40 years they’ve made vast improvements.
ETA: It is a very common procedure and you shouldn’t worry about having it. Having a diagnosis of your slow heart rate is important so they can treat that.
No, but DW works in a Cath lab. If they can determine it is a heart issue, they should be able to do a corrective procedure right there. Some patients have anxiety that something may happen to their heart during the procedure. If so, you are in the right place with all the correct experts who would be called to help.
DH had one about 10 years ago. It turned out to be a thyroid problem instead of a heart problem. I hope it goes well for you tomorrow and they figure out what the problem is.
Good news/bad news, I’ve been in cath lab twice. Both times I was lightly sedated (able to talk/joke with MD during procedure). First time I was amazed at how fast MD could get into femoral artery (leg) and up into heart and inject dye. Procedure didn’t take too long, injection inner thigh (local anesthesia), no post op problems, sent home that day. Second time, was over a year after bypass surgery. Exact same procedure except procedure took a much longer time as same MD who did first one couldn’t find bypasses. They had all failed. I had to stay overnight as a precaution. Good luck
How much of a big deal this is probably depends upon what they find. However, I wouldn’t worry about it. You will most likely be chatting pleasantly with the cardiologist throughout the procedure.
Also, the fact that you are walking into the hospital rather than being wheeled in on a stretcher is a good sign – a great many, probably most, of the patients who are wheeled in on a stretcher still walk out in good shape.
They go through arm now. Doc knows my abuse history and says he’ll have me put into oblivion if I freak.
My PA daughter was here and consulted all her PA friends for phone consult. They all agree its needed. I will survive. Swore I’d never have cataracts surgery and got through those. Maybe I should stop listing things I’ll never have!
Good luck KKmama!
Just think of all the great threads you’ll be able to catch up on after the procedure. 
My husband just got a PFO closure of his heart, with cath through his groin, last Monday. He’s already somewhat active, walking slower than usual, but doing well. I think the most painful thing was taking off bandages (ripping off hairs, assuming you don’t have that issue :D), and when someone spilled a lot of alcohol in his groin area 
Accidentally, of course.
I am sure you will be fine! Good luck to you and keep us posted. Enjoy that tasty hospital food, and your chance to relax. At least that’s the upside.
My hubby had one a few weeks ago. He went through it very well and was sitting up in bed talking right after.
Unfortunately for him, they found he was too blocked and he was sent for quadruple bypass.
He is recovering very well, but we are still shocked by the whole thing. He is athletic and fit but has a strong family history. I was so impressed with all of the staff at both hospitals. You’ll be in good hands, I’m sure.
Jugulator, what happened to your bypasses? Did you have to have surgery again?
One if my friends was having very high and rapid heart rate in the plane. He was treated as best they could on the plane and ambulance driven to the hospital where they did a heart cath thru his groin. They found 3 holes in his heart and he was able to watch the holes and then zapping the holes shut. He said it was fascinating and painless.
Wishing you an uneventful procedure, KKMama! And fingers crossed for a quick solution to the heart rate issue.
KK, no advice but sending wishes for it to be an easy procedure for you. Let us know how things go.
Wishing you the best! Hope they find whatever is wrong and fix it easily. (H had one at age 39–and they didn’t find anything. That was 18 years ago, and he is still fine. Dad had 2 heart attacks first with a triple byspass at 51, then a double bypass at 58. He is 83 and doing well).
I had one when I had my cardiac arrest. I’m still here! Cath labs are really good at what they do.If you want to be sedated, tell them. (Hope you get good news and an easy fix if that’s what needed.
Had a cardiac ablation 5 years ago in my mid-40s (went up veins in each leg, electrically stimulating heart to determine areas of problem and cauterizing them when found). I was completely out when it was done (propofol). The hardest part for me was having to lay still for 4 hours after, since they want the incisions to heal naturally.
I actually had a harder time the day before when they did a trans-esophogeal echocardiogram - I started coming out from the anesthesia while they were pulling the tube out of my throat - freaked me out! Plus they used fentanyl and versed for anesthesia for that, and I didn’t react well to that combination.
The ablation totally cured the heart problems I was having. Years ago open heart surgery would have been necessary - instead they fixed everything with an outpatient procedure! It’s amazing what they can do today.
Best of luck to you!
My dad got a stent as the result of a cath. FIL ended up with bypass. I think those two incidents were on the high end of intervention at the end of a cath, but both men did well. My dad sent us all pics of his stent. He got quite a kick out of the whole thing. He is a nerdy MD (in another specialty) and thought it was fascinating.
Wishing you the best. This procedure is common and well understood.