Heart disease and COPD: Testing

I had been having chest pain on and off for a few weeks. I was familiar with the shortness of breath and other challenges that come with COPD. However, this new feeling of chest pain felt different, almost like my heart was being squeezed.

At first, I wasn't sure whether this was related to COPD or something else. The chest pain would last just a few seconds and go away, so I didn't do anything at that time. I would have gone to the ER if it had lasted more than those few seconds.

I had my annual cardiologist appointment coming up, so I made a mental note to be sure to let her know. In the meantime, I kept monitoring myself. My blood pressure and pulse were always in normal range.

Managing COPD and heart health

At my annual appointment, I told my cardiologist what was happening. I had my annual EKG right there in the office, and thankfully, nothing had changed since the previous year.

Having COPD, it's always on my mind how this condition could be affecting my heart health. This is why I make sure to monitor these symptoms closely and follow up with my cardiologist.

We discussed where to go from there, and we decided on a cardiac CTA. To check for constricted blood arteries, CCTA injects iodine-containing contrast material, and then a CT scan is done.

CCTA preparation and what to expect

To prepare for the CCTA, I did not have any caffeine or chocolate the day before. On the night before the procedure, I had to take a beta blocker medicine and then take it again the morning of the procedure.

The beta blocker lowers the heart rate to for better quality of exam results. I had to not have anything but fluids six hours before the procedure.

Before the procedure began, I had to dress in a gown and do an EKG, and when all was good with that, they took me down to the scanner. It only took about 15 minutes for the CCAT to complete. I was in and out of there in no time. It wasn't too inconvenient, but the holding my breath part didn't last long.

I forgot to add that when they gave you the contrast. It was such a weird, warm feeling, and it almost felt like I had peed my pants. It was quite an experience. If you're not expecting it, it could be alarming.

After I finished with everything, I was free to go home, but I had to have a driver because of the meds. All in all, it wasn't bad at all. I think my nerves just had the best of me.

An unexpected complication

I haven't gotten all of the test results back yet, but I imagine if it was bad, they would have let me know by now. To my surprise, I found out at this appointment that I also have bronchiectasis, which can sometimes occur in people with COPD.

This explains some of the lung symptoms I've been experiencing, even beyond what's typical for my COPD. This is something that I have wondered about for a while now because I have all of the symptoms, but my lung doctor said he would have seen this in a previous CT scan that I had.

You just need the contrast to see it correctly. Isn't it funny how we can look for one thing and find another with some of our medical tests?

Living with COPD means constantly staying on top of my health, whether it's my lungs or my heart, and being prepared for unexpected findings, like bronchiectasis. These tests can be nerve-wracking, but they must be done to manage everything that comes with having COPD and its complications.

Have you had a CCTA or similar tests done or diagnosed with something else besides what you were getting the test for? Please share with us in the comments below.