mum is 88. she has a leaky aorta,irregular heart beat, she is experiencing some chest pains and pains across her back.  She has rheumatics.  She had a hip replacement 22 years ago and now this hip is giving her some difficulty.  She has type 2 diabetes, slightly high blood pressure and takes a statin. Description She feels shaky inside. Lots of stress this year grandaughter died ages 32.  Seen last week in hospital - told she would have more tests to go through but they would culminate in an angiagram. Told of the worrying aspects of this procedure. Told if she would like to cancel the test then this would be fine.  Mum sometimes cannot swallow her food properly and has some pain when she does this.  Can and angiagram help her to have a better life?
Hello, as you said that the leaky aortic valve, so simultaneously in most of the patient s the proximal aorta, the main artery supplying the whole body would dilate over time.  This dilated portion may compress upon food pipe leading to airing difficulty she faces, also it would lead to chest pain you describe.  After ruling out by other factors by less Invasive tests she may require angiogram with aerogram.  However, due to her age she can avoid it if symptoms are not very debilitating as aerogram is just for diagnosis and treatment would still mean surgery or less Invasive pasty.  Another way of diagnosis is using CT scan for the same.  It's a personal choice, if symptoms are very bad, it would surely help in improving quality of life. Regards Chat Doctor. 