Angiogram Question

[Virginia]

Hi,because of my Autonomic Neuropathy caused by my Diabetes I've been told today that the Cardiologist I'm due to see want's me to have an Angiogram(hope I've spelt that ok!).I had Arythmia diagnosed 14 years ago but my med for that was stopped in January when diagnosed with Type2 and the Doc thinks thats why I've been having so many Angina attacks.I haven't seen a Cardiologist for 6 years,a mistake by the Hospital apparantly!I wondered if anyone has had the Angiogram and can tell me what to expect and did the Diabetes affect the procedure?As usual I know there are websites about this but I'd rather hear from someone who's actually had it done as I'm a bit anxious about it.I think the older I'm getting and the more things I'm having done to me,instead of getting used to it I'm becoming more wary :? Thanks.

 

[DazG]

My other half had this done a while back due to heart problems, as far as I can remember, they insert a needle into the groin area that is attached to a long wire, and it goes into the artery, it then releases a dye which travels around your blood stream, this comes up on a screen and shows any blocked arteries.

You then have to stay in hospital for the day, so we went in early morning and came out late evening, I think its so the artery has healed and there are no signs of damage, bleeding etc.

Im not sure if this is what you will have, but thats what happened when we went up to the hospital.

It was all pretty painless and straight forward, the only pain is the waiting around all day at the hospital.

Edit: Forgot to add, diabetes wasnt involved in this so cant offer advice from that point of view im sorry, but good luck.

 

[colket]

hi,i had angiogram yesterday,i have t2 and i`m on gliclazide and metformin....I was told to stop the metformin for 48hrs after angio then have a blood test on wednesday.I dont have a heart problem but i do have a kidney mass.I went into the hospital at 8am and was home by 2pm been sore today but the angio is really nothing to worry about....i hope this helps you

 

[Hobs]

Angiograms can be non invasive now, but this will depend on your regional health board policy. The non invasive type use multi slice CT scans and a harmless dye.

As for diabetes effecting anything, the answer is it will not affect the results. What I would like answers to is what was the reason for stopping your anti arrhythmia meds. I take such drugs (Beta Cardone) and they do not affect my diabetes treatment. Yes, they should be introduced with caution, but after efficacy has been established and no clashes detected, there is no good reason for stopping.

 

[Virginia]

Thanks for your reply.The reason they stopped my Flecainide last December was because it isn't usually prescribed for anyone over 40 yet I'd been on it for 14 years.The Neurologist thought it was contributing towards my Peripheral Neuropathy,only now I've been told it's Autonomic Neuropathy.Because the Heart Specialist that I'd been seeing for 10 years retired 6 years ago,I simply slipped through the net and just kept being prescribed Flecainide by my GP.I'm having Palpitations most of the time now but haven't had another bad Angina attack since last Wednesday!I'm due to have an ECG on Thursday then just have to wait until an appointment becomes available to see the Cardiologist.I got a letter this morning to say the waiting list hasn't been updated yet,but if I have another attack I'll be taken as an emergency.

 

[Hobs]

Ah yes, Flecainide. I tried that one and it actually made my AF worse when it hit and started a session off within an hour of taking the first tablet .. and I'm not the first to say this according to another forum I use.

I am injecting Victoza and that raised my low heart rate to normal so that I am now able to take the required higher dose of Beta Cardone which has kept me AF free. Now what I do not know is was it the lower BG levels from Victoza holding off the AF or was it the increased dose of Beta Cardone. When I mentioned this to my cardiologists they were of split opinion.

I wish you good luck with your ECG tomorrow and hope they can sort you out with meds that will suit you.