A diagnostic catheterization can give your physician the information about your heart function that they need to treat chest pain, shortness of breath, and other concerning symptoms. At Formé Medical Center and Urgent Care in White Plains, New York, expert physicians provide diagnostic catheterizations to diagnose or evaluate heart disease. To schedule your consultation for the test, call Formé Medical Center and Urgent Care or book an appointment online today.
Diagnostic catheterizations, also called cardiac catheterizations, are procedures used to test the arteries in your heart. During the procedure, your provider inserts a catheter into a blood vessel leading to your heart, usually in the groin or wrist area. They inject a contrast dye through the catheter for better visibility on an X-ray.
Using an X-ray, your provider can see how blood flows through the heart and arteries. They can detect areas where blood flow is restricted and determine if you need treatment based on their findings.
During the test, your provider also calculates the pressure inside your heart’s chambers and measures the oxygen content in your blood. If they find anything unusual, they can use the information while planning your treatment.
There are several reasons why your providers at Formé Medical Center and Urgent Care might suggest a diagnostic catheterization to assess the health of your heart. If you have detectable symptoms like an irregular heart beat or chest pain that could indicate complications involving the heart, your provider may suggest catheterization.
Diagnostic catheterizations can help diagnose or evaluate conditions like:
Once your procedure is finished, your provider explains the results and if you need treatment. They explain the details of any procedures you may need to improve your cardiovascular health after a diagnostic catheterization.
During your initial appointment before a diagnostic catheterization, your provider lets you know any steps you need to take to prepare for the procedure. You may need to stop taking some medications or adjust their dosages. You’ll also need to stop eating or drinking anything other than water for at least six hours before the treatment.
To be safe, Formé Medical Center and Urgent Care recommend bringing your current medications to your consultation appointment. That way, your providers will know exactly which medications you take to reduce any risks of complications.
To schedule an appointment and find out if you can benefit from diagnostic catheterization, call Formé Medical Center and Urgent Care or book an appointment online today.
