In a healthy heart, blood flows freely through the coronary arteries. Sometimes, the arteries are blocked by layers of fat called plaque, or blood clots called thrombus. When this happens, the blood flow is reduced and the heart muscle does not get enough oxygen. When this happens, the blood flow is reduced and the heart muscle does not get enough oxygen. The lack of oxygen causes pain or discomfort that is called angina. If the flow of blood and oxygen is blocked completely, part of the heart muscle may die. This is a heart attack or myocardial infarction.
Heart, or cardiac, catheterization is done in a catheterization laboratory (cath lab). Community Memorial offers multiple "state-of-the-heart" cardiac catheterization labs. During a heart catheterization, the doctor inserts a long thin tube (the catheter) into a blood vessel and threads it up to the heart. This procedure provides accurate and detailed information about the heart's function. It allows your physician to measure the severity of coronary artery disease and plan a course of treatment. This procedure can produce many benefits to consider when making the decision about heart catheterization.
Angioplasty procedures are done for a multitude of reasons, including for coronary artery disease and for heart attacks and unstable angina. Similar to catheterization, angioplasty uses special catheters to move in and out of the arteries of the heart.
If your doctor finds a coronary artery that is blocked with fatty build up called plaque, a stent may be placed in your artery to allow for more blood flow. Placing of a stent can be done during other procedures, such as angioplasty for coronary artery disease.
There are other procedures that can diagnose heart problems or repair damage, including:
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