I've had the stress tests - both chemical and on the treadmill. The treadmill test was really tough for me, but I was determined to do it (another 10 seconds and I'd have given up the ghost).The chemical version uses a stimulant to ramp up the heart rate. so they can check you out. Not too bad.
Don't know much about the cath. I'm sure someone has some info...

Hugs,
Dennis

The external cardiac stress tests, either the tread mill or chemical versions, are just that: external. They show most of what a cardiologist needs to know of how the heart is working electrically. But it desn't "show" the entire "picture". That is where the heart "cath" comes in .... it allows the cardiologist to actually see inside the 4 chambers of your heart while the heart us pumping! The procedure to the uninitiated may sound a bit scarey, but in reality, it isn't. I've had three in my life!

The patient is very lightly sedated, but not asleep. Why? Because to get from one chamber of the heart to another, the patient has to cough on command from the doctor. What the cough does is to momentarily open a heart valve to allow the sensor to move from one chamber to the next. During this time in the heart, many tests are done,visuals, as well as electronic, the most important being to determine if the hearts natural pacemaker is working properly. Plus, heart muscle thickness is measured, along with the internal action of the heart muscle. If necessary, biopsirs can be taken if anything suspicious is seen. The catheter is inserted through a large vein in the groin area of a leg. A local anesthetic is used, so there is no pain.

In most cases, a heart cath is a same day procedure.

zenobiagar,

I have to disagree with your profile comment: "I am dying a slow, painful death trying not to give up..."

That sounds like something I have written when I first joined this group of wonderful and often funny people. I too was dx'd with end stage emphy, but joining in with everyone from this fantastic group of loving and caring people, I HAVE LEARNED TO LIVE, not to die. Just remember this: From the moment of birth, at the onset of your first breath, the main biological process of dying began. That's something each of us was born to do! It's times like these that we desparately reach out to others who may share the same chronic illness. It's human nature to reach out for help, and yet choose the opening statement:'I'm dying of ..... whatever!" If you are reading this, then surely you must be alive, correct? You are not alone in this. Sure, it's hard. Very hard most days, but with each other, we will find a way to make it! Lean on us, we all have strong shoulders and a compassion for one another you won't believe could exist!

God be with you and bring peace to your life!

Jim Evridge

In case you didn't see this a few weeks ago:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y7TpMejadLo

There are quite a few on this site, that's for sure!

Thanks Sil, I no longer feel I am waiting to die, I am living! This site and all of you have been a great help.
Hugs to all.

Zenobiagar,
I too am trying to get a double lung transplant. Right now I am in rehab (exercise) and have done a few of the required tests so far, but not the heart cath yet.
However, I did have one several years ago, and it was pretty neat. I was awake and was able to watch the camera (see thru the camera) and see what my heart was doing and my arteries, ect. I was watching with the doctors on a monitor. They said most women would not do that, but I wanted to KNOW what was happening.
Brenda

SILFOXX:

I very much enjoyed reading your feedback!!!
What a wonderful attitude thank you!