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Is there any alternative test for cardiac catheterization?

This Premium Q&A, reviewed and published, features a real conversation between an iCliniq user and a physician.

Patient's Query

Hi doctor,

I am 35 years old and overweight. I have lost about 100 lbs and I am at 265. 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 a 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.

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.

  1. Are there any other alternative tests that are not so invasive?
  2. Also, do I really need it?
  3. These attacks I get are very scary, and I have ended up in it several times, but nothing has been found. Could this be something else?
  4. 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.
Answered by Dr. Prashant Valecha

Education:

MD Physician

Professional Bio:

Dr. Prashant Valecha is a General Practitioner and an expert in Preventive and Noninvasive Cardiology and completed his MD Physician from Yerevan State Medical University, Armenia, in 2009. He is an expert in treating all cardiac ailments. He has 14 years of clinical experience and is currently practicing in Bhopal.

This doctor is not available for online consultations on the platform anymore.

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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.

Medically reviewed by Dr. K. Shobana
Published At May 20, 2016
Reviewed At June 25, 2026

Education:

MD Physician

Professional Bio:

Dr. Prashant Valecha is a General Practitioner and an expert in Preventive and Noninvasive Cardiology and completed his MD Physician from Yerevan State Medical University, Armenia, in 2009. He is an expert in treating all cardiac ailments. He has 14 years of clinical experience and is currently practicing in Bhopal.

This doctor is not available for online consultations on the platform anymore.

Consult other doctors in the same speciality

Education:

BDS

Professional Bio:

Dr. K. Shobana is a Dental Surgeon specializing in oral health and dental care. She is skilled in preventive dentistry and provides oral hygiene education. She can do restorative treatments such as fillings and crowns. She can handle periodontal problems such as gum diseases and periodontitis. She can do root canal treatment.

This doctor is not available for online consultations on the platform anymore.

Consult other doctors in the same speciality

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Dr. Prashant Valecha
Dr. Prashant Valecha

Cardiology

Education:

MD Physician

Professional Bio:

Dr. Prashant Valecha is a General Practitioner and an expert in Preventive and Noninvasive Cardiology and completed his MD Physician from Yerevan State Medical University, Armenia, in 2009. He is an expert in treating all cardiac ailments. He has 14 years of clinical experience and is currently practicing in Bhopal.

This doctor is not available for online consultations on the platform anymore.

Consult other doctors in the same speciality
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