Why Have Your Heart Arteries X-Rayed?

QUESTION: With several bouts of chest pain in my history, but no diagnosis of
heart attack, I am now on my way to having my heart arteries x-rayed. I know
what the test (coronary angiography) is all about, but wonder what they are
looking for. Are they trying to find a "silent" heart attack? What should I
be on the alert for?
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ANSWER: There are many excellent reasons for undergoing this test, which will
show your physicians the state of your coronary (heart) arteries, and how well
they are performing their job of bringing the flow of blood to your heart
muscles. When these arteries are blocked with plaques of fatty material and
calcium, blood flow is reduced or cut off completely, and chest pain (angina)
may result. But not all chest pain may be caused by coronary artery disease,
and so the first fact your physician is seeking is whether or not your chest
pain is coming from artery trouble. There will be evidence for or against the
diagnosis of any so called "silent" heart attack, and that question will be
answered for you. More important, a definitive diagnosis may be reached,
which can help direct the type of therapy necessary to help stop these chest
pains and get you back to normal. The treatments can range from diet and
exercise programs, a variety of medications, to surgery (by pass) to get the
blood flowing around any blockages that may be found. At any rate, I think
you will be relieved to finally know what is going on, and you can look to
your physician for a complete explanation of the findings. You may wish to
ask to see the x-rays, and to trace the path of your coronary arteries (with
the guidance of your doctor) so that you will understand the causes of the
pain, and dedicate your efforts to their correction.