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Right Heart Cath Question
I’m pretty new to the boards & hope I’m posting in the correct forum.
I’m trying to understand all the numbers on my heart cath report. My pulmonologist doesn’t really give me good information & unfortunately he’s the best Dr for PH in my city. I’ve googled it but I’m still confused. Can anyone perhaps direct me to a chart that my help me understand all the numbers please? -
10 Replies
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Hi Kelli, I really disturbs me to hear how many doctors like yours does not take the time to answer your questions so you can have a complete understanding of your diagnosis. Do you have a copy of the report of your RHC? If you don’t, make sure you get the full report either from the doctor or from Records where you had it done. You could then request to have a virtual visit set up to go over your questions. I always write them all down to make sure I have not forgotten anything. In the meantime you could go on Google again “right heart catch pressures” or the Mayo Clinic or Cleavland Clinic. You could also look up a PAH Center – there are several around the country and go to their websites. If you do that your best bet is still go back to your PH doctor and push to have either face to face or virtual visit. Please remember he is providing a service you are paying for and you have a right to have him or her work with you. I just had my RHC my 3rd one, but I certainly do not have the expertise to advise you about your pressures. I hope this helps. Just remember you are your best advocate. I wish you all the best and a new year filled with promise and hope that you will be on the best medical course for you!
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Thank you @cdvol3gmail-com for giving @kelli-paige solid advice. Kelli, in case I didn’t offer it before, here is a link that might help you find another PH doctor for a 2nd opinion if you want one.
https://phassociation.org/patients/doctorswhotreatph/The other I might suggest is call the nurses line for your doctor. He should have one. Sometimes the nurses are even better at explaining things than the doctors. Try to get a nurse to go over things with you. What you want to know is what stage your PH is in and what plan your doctor has to improve your quality of life. What treatment would be best for you. What looks good and what concerns he has.
@la66reyes good luck with you upcoming cath. I’m sure it will go well. Please keep us updated!
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Following… I’m having my firs in a few weeks…
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Kelli, having your numbers from the cath is a bid step in knowing your status and
What treatment plans are best for you. With me it was like a semi-annual physical, any movement in the right direction, was a miracle. Read all you can from reliable sources, demand that your care team answers your questions and try hard to stay active. -
Hi @kelli-paige, I am a bit late, but I wanted to share this information. This, of course, is written for medical purposes, so that it can be confusing also. But it does offer some helpful information. Of course, your PH team is who would know the best plan of treatment for you. Unfortunately, PH is not a one size fits all approach.
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I go for double cath day after tomorow…. I expect they wont tell me anything right there though will they ?
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@la66reyes I’m sure the cath will go well and I will pray for helpful answers from it. I guess it depends on the doctor but many will at least pop in during recovery and brief you on their findings, then discuss more in depth during a follow-up. Sometimes the nurse caring for you can make a call to the doctor and ask for information they can share with you. Update us when you feel up to it. Will this be your first cath?
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Thinking of you @la66reyes. As Colleen adds, depending on your doctor, and also if it was done at a PH center, etc. I hope that all went well and you will update us when you are feeling up to it.
I also am curious if this is your first cath, since they are doing both, I think it probably is.
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Yes it will be my first . It will in the county hosp in Bakersfield CA
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Hi @la66reyes, I had forgotten that you are near Bakersfield. Because it is a county hospital, they probably do not have a PH socialist. When this is the case, they often give you a pulmonary doctor. Depending on his or her background would determine if they are knowledgeable about PH.
Please forgive me if we discussed this previously. I am still sipping on my morning coffee, hehe.
How did things go? Did you get any of the results or a plan as to when you will hear from your medical team?
I hope that you did OK as the first time is always overwhelming and also the unknowns that come along with heart caths,
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