Do You Need a Cardiac Catheterization Procedure?

If you are experiencing heart attack symptoms, please call 911.

Have you had a previous heart attack, or does your doctor think you may have clogged arteries? 

Have you previously experienced chest pains (stable angina), and your doctor believes an in-depth examination of your heart is crucial?

These are cases where one of our cardiologists may recommend a cardiac catheterization. This procedure provides a detailed image of how well your heart is operating, and it’s one of our most vital diagnostic tools we use to give you an accurate and timely diagnosis. 

The Heart Center at Conway Medical Center is staffed with leading, board-certified cardiologists in Myrtle Beach and Horry County. We use the latest, evidence-based techniques devised by Duke Health to enable us to provide a higher level of quality cardiac care in our Conway community. If you need a cardiologist, speak with your primary care physician who can provide a referral. We would consider it a privilege to serve you. 

But before we introduce our leading heart health care team, let’s take a closer look at cardiac catheterizations: what they are, when you would need one, and how to prepare.

What Is a Cardiac Catheterization?

A cardiac catheterization is a test that uses contrast dye to look at your heart in detail. This test is also called a heart catheterization.

During the procedure, our cardiologist will put a small tube called a catheter through your skin and into a blood vessel in your groin, arm or neck. Tools may be passed through the catheter to take measurements or perform other procedures.

Contrast dye may be put into the artery and you may feel a warm or hot flush spreading over your body for a few seconds when the contrast dye is given.

X-rays will be taken as the contrast dye moves through your blood vessels. The X-rays will show if there is a blockage, narrowing, or deformity of the blood vessels in your heart. At the end of the test, your doctor will remove the catheter and put pressure on the area where the catheter was inserted (the puncture site) to control any bleeding.

The test usually takes about an hour.

When Would You Need a Cardiac Catheterization?

Chest pain isn’t the only reason we may recommend cardiac catheterization. There are many situations where it may be appropriate. You’ll work closely with your CMC cardiologist to determine if the procedure is needed.

For example, you may need a cardiac catheterization if:

• You’ve experienced chest pain
• You have symptoms of heart disease
• You’ve experienced shortness of breath
• You have shoulder pain or pressure
• You have pain in your arms, jaw, neck or back
• You’ve had a heart attack
• You’ve had an abnormal electrocardiogram (that’s a machine we use to record your heart rhythm)
• You need to have a biopsy
• You need to determine if you have any arterial diseases
• You need to have a stent placed to open a blocked artery
• Your doctor needs more information that other tests can’t provide to make a diagnosis

The test results can help your provider see if you need treatment to widen an artery, remove a blockage, or bypass an artery.

During the test, if any narrowing is found, your healthcare provider can also do certain procedures to remove any blockages like an angioplasty and placing a coronary stent.

• Angioplasty is a procedure for stretching open a blocked artery. A metal device called a stent is usually left in the artery to help keep the blood vessel open. The stent may be coated with medicine to help keep the blood vessel open.
• A coronary stent is a small support made of wire mesh that is inserted into the artery to hold it open. It’s usually placed after an angioplasty.

Are You Put to Sleep During a Heart Cath?

No. You’re awake during a heart cath.

But don’t panic.

You’ll be sedated. So while you’ll be awake, you’ll be extremely relaxed, and you’ll likely not be focused on the procedure at all.

We understand that you may be anxious about the procedure, and we want you to rest assured that we will take time to listen and answer all your questions. Our cardiologists have performed hundreds of cardiac catheterizations, enabling them to make life-saving diagnoses that have helped so many in our community.

Conway Medical Center Offers Complete Range of Heart Services Through Our Cardiac Care

We’re thrilled to have experienced, fellowship-trained providers who will work closely with you to deliver the highest level of quality cardiac care.

We’ve combined all of our best services into our heart center, which offers convenience along with a wide variety of procedures used to help diagnose heart disease.

These include:
• Echocardiography
• Electrophysiology
• Cardiac Computed Tomography Angiography (CCTA)

Heart disease is the number one killer of Americans. Each year, millions are diagnosed with heart disease. In fact, the Centers for Disease Control states that one person dies every 37 seconds from cardiovascular disease. That’s roughly 1 in every 4 deaths.

Our response?

Providing the cardiac care you need, when you need it.

This means saving lives.

Every heartbeat is precious here at Conway Medical Center. Contact us now to learn more about our Heart Center.

Next, we’ll take a closer look at the team behind our CMC Cath Lab and how they work together to provide the crucial treatment you need.

Time Means Muscle at the CMC Cath Lab

When it comes to your heart, time is muscle. If you’re having a heart attack, it’s important to restore blood flow as quickly as possible. The sooner this is done, the more heart muscle you save and the healthier you’ll  be.  

The cardiac catheterization lab at Conway Medical Center puts time on a patient’s side. 

Our lab performs minimally invasive tests and procedures on-site to diagnose and treat heart disease. There is no need for patients to be transported elsewhere to receive these life-saving treatments, decreasing the time from diagnosis to restore blood flow.

Conway Medical Center and our board-certified interventional cardiologists at CMC Cardiac Care spend a significant amount of time working with their patients on prevention. However, when lifestyle changes and medicines aren’t enough or if a patient’s heart disease continues to progress, our cardiologists can perform non-surgical procedures in our cath lab to treat their conditions. 

Cath Lab Treatments for Heart Care

The CMC Cath Lab provides emergency services 24 hours a day, 7 days a week as well as elective treatments for cardiovascular disease. Some of these specialized procedures are:

Angiogram

This test can locate blocked coronary arteries in people with symptoms of chest pain. We use a CT scanner to get 3D pictures of your heart and blood vessels while it is still pumping. This enables us to see blockages and any places where the arteries are narrowing.

Catheterization

We mentioned this procedure earlier. Our Cath Lab features the latest in cardiac diagnostic imaging technology that allows our physicians to perform standard cardiac catheterization and radial artery catheterization.

Angioplasty

This procedure used a balloon-tipped catheter to widen a narrowed or blocked artery often in the heart or leg. Often a stent is also placed to help keep the artery open. This procedure can be performed in people with or without symptoms of heart disease in an emergency or to treat a severe heart attack.

Electrophysiology

This involves the implantation of pacemakers and defibrillators. These devices help patients whose hearts do not beat as they should. Your heart has a rhythm. When there is an interruption or a problem with its beating it can lead to disastrous consequences. Implanting these devices can regulate the functions of the heart and help it pump more effectively.

Conway Medical Center’s State-of-the-Art Heart Care

Advanced medical technology provides the tools our team needs to make an accurate and timely diagnosis. Our board-certified experts will be in your corner, working to ensure your best cardiac health while offering the highest level of cardiac care throughout the Horry County region.

But we take this level of caring a step further and provide the tools you need to maintain a healthier life. We’ll take a closer look at our cardiac and pulmonary rehab program. 

CMC Cardiac & Pulmonary Rehab: Your Personal Cheerleading Squad

Have you ever wondered what it might be like to have your own personal coach or cheerleader— someone to help you live a more active and healthy life, and make it a priority? In many ways, this is what CMC Cardiac and Pulmonary Rehabilitation programs do for people recovering from certain heart and lung related conditions and procedures.

Our cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation programs have proven to be beneficial to patients recovering from heart or lung surgeries, have had a traumatic event such as a heart attack or are suffering from chronic issues like COPD or cardiovascular disease. 

Studies have found that rehab programs like this help men and women, people of all ages, and people with mild, moderate, and severe health problems achieve their health goals, have a better quality of life and even live longer.  Cardiac and pulmonary rehab patients are also less likely to be readmitted to the hospital.

There are many other advantages to participating in cardiac and pulmonary rehab programs like:

• Weight loss
• Lower cholesterol
• Less risk of depression
• Successful stress management

These rehab programs can even provide benefits for individuals who are experiencing a decline in their physical endurance or having difficulty with normal daily activities.

What Are the Short- and Long-Term Benefits of Cardiac and Pulmonary Rehab?

What are the short and long-term benefits of cardiac and pulmonary rehab?

• Strengthening your heart, lungs and body
• Relieving symptoms of heart or lung problems, such as chest pain.
• Building healthier habits, including getting more physical activity, quitting smoking, and eating a heart-healthy diet. A nutritionist or dietitian may work with you to help you limit foods with unhealthy fats and eat more fruits and vegetables that are high in vitamins, minerals, and fiber.
• Reducing stress.
• Improving your mood. People are more likely to feel depressed after a major health event. Rehab can help prevent and lessen depression.
• Increasing your energy and strength, making daily activities easier, such as carrying groceries and climbing stairs.
• Making you more likely to take your prescribed medicines that help lower your risk for future health problems.
• Preventing future heart and lung issues, as well as death.

“But wait!  Am I too old? Am I too frail?”

No! Even an elderly person with a weak heart and little previous experience with working out can become a success story. Each rehabilitation method has different treatment options, and your plan is customized for you based on your condition and needs.  And best of all, you have your “coaches” and “cheerleaders” by your side every step of the way.

At CMC, we have a great team of exercise therapists, dieticians, nurses, and providers dedicated to helping patients get their lives back. Daily, we help people of every fitness level through the process of achieving cardiac and pulmonary health and reducing the risk of developing future health issues.

This may seem like a bunch of added appointments on your calendar, but more than likely you’ll find that you begin looking forward to your sessions.  Some patients even find it comforting and a safe place to be knowing that they are monitored by experts who are committed to helping them achieve their goals, renew their strength and build the confidence to stick with their new lifestyle choices.

For Leading Cardiac Care for the Myrtle Beach and Horry County Community, Look No Further Than Our Compassionate, Experienced Team at CMC

We’ve discussed the various aspects of cardiac care, including what a cardiac catheterization is and when you would need one. We’ve also outlined the many ways our team of cath lab specialists and pulmonary/cardiac rehab team members can help you maintain optimal heart health. 

Our services not only enhance your quality of life, but they can provide keys to life-saving treatment when it’s needed most. Our highly skilled, board-certified cardiologists implement the latest technology to support your heart health. Whether you need routine cardiac care, help managing a chronic condition, or urgent treatment during an emergency, CMC Cardiology is here for you.

See why we’re the Myrtle Beach area’s highest-rated medical provider. Speak to your doctor about a referral to Conway Medical Center for state-of-the-art cardiac care.