Is there any alternative test for cardiac catheterization?

Question

Hi doctor,

I have been having many issues in the last two years. My main issue right now is that I get a weird feeling in my stomach like I want to growl but I cannot. I am having shortness of breath, numbness of hands, tingling, and heavy feeling. I feel like passing out and my heart starts to race. I usually burp when I get these feelings. I cannot walk far distances and these started happening about a week ago.

I have had two stress tests. The first one was six months ago with a heart echo. I wore a Holter monitor for a month and had several EKGs, but nothing was found in all of them. Now recently I have had my blood pressure shoot up and I am currently on blood pressure medicines.

I am 35 years old and overweight. I have lost about 100 lbs and I am at 265. The other issues that I have been diagnosed with were diverticulitis, gallbladder dyskinesia, gastritis, and GERD. My cardiologist wants to do a cardiac catheterization next.

Is there are any other alternative tests that are not so invasive? Also really do I need it? These attacks I get are very scary and I have ended up in it several times but nothing was found. Could this be something else? I have read about vagus nerve issues as well as stomach issues that can cause similar symptoms. Should I get the cardiac catheterization test? Please advise.

Thank you.

Answer 1

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

Control of blood pressure (BP) is a must as it may cause this kind of thing or you may have a postural drop of BP. Stomach feelings can be due to diverticulitis (infected pouches in the colon) and GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease). There is a possibility of Stokes-Adams syndrome (sudden collapse and unconsciousness).

Get a carotid sensitivity test (only massage over carotids but under hospital monitoring). Doing catheterization will rule out cardiac causes and you will feel relaxed, do both coronary angiogram and EP (electrophysiology) study. Check with an ENT (otorhinolaryngologist) as some have internal ear problems while having high BP. Also, test your hemoglobin level.

I hope that you get your answer.

Please let me know if you need any help.

Thank you.