Ct Coronary Angiogram

[Bazile]

I went to see a consultant the other day re persistent Hypertension

He has referred me for the following -

CT Coronary Angiogram

24 Hour blood pressure check

Kidney ultrasound

The one that concerns me is the CT Coronary Angiogram - it sounds risky 'pottering' about in the heart - plus x-rays

1. Am i been worried for nothing

2. What are the risk of this procedure

3. Is this procedure a normal investigation for Hypertension ?

4. Does a CT scan involve a high dosage of xrays -?

5. Anyone had this procedure ?

[MallyJ]

I have had 2 different procedures carried out on my heart...the first (to carry out an ablation) went in throught my groin. I was awake and it did not hurt at all...oh except when they zapped my heart a couple of times. I hade an angiogram a year later. This time they went in through my wrist. This one was not pleasant but didn't take long so not too bad. I believe that there is a small risk but was comforted by the fact if my heart decided to argue then it could do that when I did not have fully qualified cardiac doctors and nurses around so I was in the best place! Possibly not the abswers that you need but I have had the experience...

[Sqad]

a) It is quite natural to worry....no medical procedures are "nothing."
b) Slight risk of complications.
c) No, but they may involve the renal artery in the investigation of hypertension.
d)A dose that is not tissue damaging.
e) Yes.......many people....including sqad.

Good answer by MallyJ.

[Bazile]

Thanks both

So , it sounds as if it is being carried out , because high blood pressure can have an effect on the renal arteries , which carry blood from the heart to the kidneys .

Is that the reason ?

[Sqad]

No...it isn't.
It is the other way round.....abnormalities of the renal artery (blockage) can be the cause of you high BP.

[Bazile]

Ok - I see
Thanks sqad