topic Re: Cardiac catheterization in Wellness

Cardiac catheterization

marip — Wed, 18 Mar 2026 01:19:48 GMT

Next week i'm going in for a cardiac catheterization. Anyone had this done?

Re: Cardiac catheterization

haddon9 — Wed, 18 Mar 2026 01:28:41 GMT

I have not had it done but I wish you the very best!

Re: Cardiac catheterization

Trinity11 — Wed, 18 Mar 2026 01:38:34 GMT

@marip wrote:
Next week i'm going in for a cardiac catheterization. Anyone had this done?

Yes, in total 7 times over the past 20 years. Recovery was fast. A few times I went home the same day. They usually give you something to relax and you can watch the procedure on the monitor. Last time, though, they put me to sleep. So it varies.

The procedure is a wonderful diagnostic tool and the gold standard for diagnosing coronary artery disease. If a blockage is found, a stent may be inserted.

Good luck @marip . Let us know how you did....

Re: Cardiac catheterization

We rescue cats — Wed, 18 Mar 2026 01:41:50 GMT

Wishing you the very best of luck!

Re: Cardiac catheterization

mrshckynut — Wed, 18 Mar 2026 01:53:53 GMT

@marip I have not however my husband has had at least 5 of them. with 2 of them he had a stent angioplasty with 1 stent each time. no problems and he said he liked being able to watch each procedure on their monitor. they gave him pictures of each of the stent angioplasty procedures

mrshckynut

Re: Cardiac catheterization

Franklinbell — Wed, 18 Mar 2026 01:57:23 GMT

Sending healing wishes to you!

Re: Cardiac catheterization

marip — Wed, 18 Mar 2026 03:26:48 GMT

Thank you everyone for your well wishes. I do have a question about the procedure if they go in the groin. Do you have to lay on your back after the procedure is done for a hour or 2? What if you have to use the washroom? Do they put in a urinary catheter?

Re: Cardiac catheterization

Trinity11 — Wed, 18 Mar 2026 03:34:43 GMT

@marip wrote:
Thank you everyone for your well wishes. I do have a question about the procedure if they go in the groin. Do you have to lay on your back after the procedure is done for a hour or 2? What if you have to use the washroom? Do they put in a urinary catheter?

Yes, you cannot move the leg for about two hours. You can ask for a Purewick. They are non invasive and that way you won't need to be catherized. They are available in most hospitals.

Re: Cardiac catheterization

meallen616 — Wed, 18 Mar 2026 09:10:47 GMT

@marip, keep us posted,

Re: Cardiac catheterization

Still Raining — Wed, 18 Mar 2026 13:02:37 GMT

Hope for the best for you and an easy recovery.

Re: Cardiac catheterization

jlkz — Wed, 18 Mar 2026 13:22:35 GMT

@marip

DH has had several of these done since 1996. He now has 12 or more stents in place. The technology of the entire process had improved so much as had so many other procedures!

For each procedure he has been asleep....meanwhile, I was pacing the waiting room unable to concentrate.

Early experience was the many hours-long stationary position after the procedure. Now, recovery is much quicker.

Early stents had one drawback for some folks. DH was one of those but we were lucky that they had begun to use irradiated stents. So, in the dead of night we drove to the Washington Heart Hospital and the new type stent replaced the problem one.

( Problem: the stent is a tiny tube with holes all around. Sometimes the inner walls of the artery would begin to grow through the holes and eventually impede the flow of blood. )

It was a little before 7 AM when we opened the door to the waiting area and found about 70 people already waiting ! Afterwards, when I went to see him in the Recovery room, there were so many folks coming out of the anesthesia !

Looking at the film of the first procedure was the worst thing for me: I was standing and started to pass out.

So @marip, you should know things have come a long way since the early cardiac catheterizations and your procedure should go well.

A few days after DH's first procedure we were at the shore with close friends. There at 8 AM he was outside washing their and our cars....his energy level was that high thanks to the increased blood flow with the stent !

The hardest part has to be the waiting before the procedure for the patient and the waiting during the loved one's procedure ! Be well !

Re: Cardiac catheterization

skatting44 — Wed, 18 Mar 2026 13:40:41 GMT

Some Interventional cardiologists are skilled to employ the Radial artery instead of the one at the groin ( femoral ) .

Re: Cardiac catheterization

RedTop — Wed, 18 Mar 2026 17:18:44 GMT

My youngest brother had one several years ago and it was done thru the wrist, not the groin. He was able to leave shortly after the procedure.

Re: Cardiac catheterization

I am still oxox — Wed, 18 Mar 2026 18:14:31 GMT

My Mom had at least 1 if not more done over 40 years ago I am sure things have changed since them