What is a Dye Test for Your Heart?

A dye test is helpful for a cardiologist to understand and view at the blood vessels in the heart. It is beneficial in cases where patients are displaying signs of chest pain. A dye test is especially useful for those who underwent heart surgery or showed signs of illnesses related to the heart.

What is a Dye Test for your Heart?

The dye test procedure involves inserting a thin catheter tube through the groin or arm and into the coronary artery. Due to this, the doctor will be able to position that to the desired location where they sense there is the presence of narrowness. After inserting the catheter tube, they will inject that dye and begin to capture images, as it moves within the pipe until it reaches the end of the tube. The doctor will use the x-ray machine to capture the images.

The images obtained with the help of the dye test reveals the cardiologist about the obstructions in the coronary artery system. Any narrowness in the heart will make it difficult for the blood to carry out nutrients and oxygen to keep it in good health. Additionally, improper functioning of the heart causes a heart attack and abnormal functionality of other organs in the body.

Based on the output of the images from dye test, the doctor will decide whether it is possible to choose medicines as the treatment or go ahead with placing a stent. They will also consider the age, physical fitness, eating habits, lifestyle, and other answers before taking the decision. After calculating, they will go ahead with the highest percentile that ensures that the treatment will be useful for the patient and helps him or her in overcoming the narrowness in the heart.

As it is an invasive testing method, people may experience pain at the entrance of the catheter tube even though the nurse injects anesthesia. In addition, the radiation emitted by the x-ray machine may be harmful to the elderly. For a pregnant woman, doctors will find an alternative method to screen, as x-ray emissions are harmful to the unborn. If there is no other alternative, the doctor will proceed with the dye test using the x-ray machine by using the lead sheet. The nurse will place the lead sheet that covers the abdomen of the pregnant woman and then proceeds with the dye test to capture the images of the blood vessels in the heart.

Prerequisites of Dye Test for Your Heart

Before arriving for the dye test, the doctor will ensure to hand over a pre-requisite slip that you will have to follow to make sure that the output of the result is accurate. The priority is food related and its consumption. You will be avoiding caffeine content, reduction in diabetic medicine level, avoid smoking and alcohol. Furthermore, you will be arriving at the test facility on an empty stomach.

Before and After a Dye Test for Your Heart

With the help of the dye test, the doctor will have crucial information related to the blood vessels in the heart. Dye test will also display the blockages that are causing chest pain or any underlying symptoms that may lead to a heart attack in the future. Based on the severity of the condition, other illnesses, and the age factor, the doctor chooses the treatment accordingly.

In most of the cases, cardiologists opt for placing a stent as it is helpful in preventing further re-occurrence of the narrowness in the heart. There are also cases where it was possible to solve the situation using medication, making an alteration to the lifestyle, and food habits.

Team PainAssist
Team PainAssist
Written, Edited or Reviewed By: Team PainAssist, Pain Assist Inc. This article does not provide medical advice. See disclaimer
Last Modified On:October 7, 2017

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