Is there a specific medical test to determine blockage in arteries?
Sep 08, 2010 in
Health FAQs
Both my husband and myself have had parents who died from heart attacks at age 50. We are 47 and do take very good care of ourselves. I know about stress tests and other heart tests but is there a specific way to determine if arteries are blocked and how bad the blockage is. You hear about so many people who have had a heart attack and their arteries were 90% blocked. Can one find this out before an attack?
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3 comments
Agnodice on September 8, 2010 at 12:31 pm
The best tests to evaluate for blockages in the arteries is a coronary angiogram also known as a cardiac catheterization. Cardiac catheterizations are performed usually to treat a heart attack and further evaluate after a positive stress test. A cardiac catheterization is associated with a small risk of complications and it should not be performed in people without symptoms just to evaluate for blockages in the arteries. A stress test is a good test to evaluate for significant blockages that can potentially lead to heart attacks. If there is significant blockages then the stress test will be positive and further testing with the cardiac catheterization will be performed. A negative stress test makes significant blockages in the arteries very unlikely. It is possible to have a normal stress test and small blockages in the arteries, but these usually do not lead to problems. A stress test is the most appropriate first test since cardiac catheterization does come with some minor risks.
'Sunnyside Up' on September 8, 2010 at 12:31 pm
Yes. They go in and check them.
Sherry on September 8, 2010 at 12:31 pm
hi, yes there are ,an angoigram will pop a small wire down through your major neck or groin artery, with a tiny camera it will show up any blockages poor supply or problems. if you feel you may be at high risk then see your gp for an urgent refferal to specialist as waiting is pointless and will only cause you to be more worried. its quick easy and if anything is found now it can be dealt with sooner rather than later,in my experiance its easy to add a stent to open up any blockeges and it is a small op to save you having to have a major one in yrs to come. my relative had his angiagram the week after he was sent to a top specialist in oxford hospital and was all done and home 4 days later.good luck and i hope it all goes so well for you .
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