Heart Catheter Specialist

What is a heart catheter?

A heart catheter is a procedure that evaluates how well your heart is functioning. To monitor your heart health, a surgeon places a thin, hollow tube into the large blood vessel that carries blood and oxygen to your heart.

Your Premier Cardiology Consultants specialist may recommend a heart catheter to determine if you have underlying issues with your heart muscles, valves, or arteries.

What happens during the placement of a heart catheter?

Your Premier Cardiology Consultants provider refers you to an area hospital for the heart catheter placement procedure. You can expect to receive an intravenous (IV) sedative to keep you comfortable and relaxed, but still awake.

At the insertion site, the surgeon numbs the area with a topical anesthetic before inserting the catheter into the largest blood vessel. 

To guide the catheter into place, the surgeon uses real-time imaging technology. It’s common to feel some pressure in the insertion site but the placement of the catheter typically isn’t painful.

When the catheter is in place, your surgeon may use it as an access point to gather important information about your heart's health. They may:

• Take tissue samples
• Clear a blocked artery
• Measure blood in heart chambers
• Evaluate the internal structures of blood vessels

Once your evaluation is complete, the surgeon removes the catheter and you spend time in recovery before going home.

How long does it take to recover from a heart catheter placement?

Before you leave the hospital, the medical staff provides information about how to care for the insertion site to prevent bleeding and infection. 

Your Premier Cardiology Consultants doctor receives information about the results of your test, and you can expect to schedule a follow-up visit to discuss the next steps.

In many cases, people return to their usual activities the day after their heart catheter procedure. You may have swelling and bruising at the insertion site, which should resolve on its own in a few days.

To learn more about the diagnostic benefits of a heart catheter, schedule a consultation with the cardiology team at Premier Cardiology Consultants today by calling the office nearest you or by using the online booking system.