I have had 4 heart catheterizations: 2 through the arm, 1 through the groin and my last one through the neck. Your report will show several pressure numbers: systolic, diastolic, and mean. These are sometimes not labeled as such in your report but might get written as something like 35/15/24 Systolic numbers over 20 are now regarded as having PH though it wasn't long ago that the magic number was 25. Anything below 40-45 is considered mild and depending on your other factors, may not even mandate immediate treatments. I was 56 in my first diagnostic cath (My echo number was 78!) and with treatment and lifestyle changes I am now in the low 40s. Diastolic range should be under 10. I average 14-17. Mean should be 20 and I am generally around 24.

Then there is also a wedge (PAWP) pressure number. A wedge number over 15 indicates the PH is caused by left heart disease. If your wedge number is 14 or 15 but you have a history of heart issues, they should give you a fluid challenge test during the cath to make sure the Wedge number is accurate. My wedge is normally 14 but the fluid challenge test brought it up to 28. (I have a history of both left and right heart failure plus occasional Afib.) Not all doctors are experienced with doing the Fluid Challenge. If you have a history of heart issues, ask your doctor ahead of time if he's prepared to do one if your wedge is "on the cusp".

None of this is painful or even uncomfortable.

Hi! I've had RHC twice. Both times they have gone through my arm. Not terrible, and doesn't take long

I am not a medical professional. I was told by my PH specialist that in Europe the most common entry point is the arm and in the US it historically has been the groin but that the younger and more current doctors use the neck. The groin is always prepped just in case there is blockage in the arm or neck. The groin has the easiest access but the greatest distance for the wires to travel and the longest recovery period. In my 3rd cath I was getting a CardioMEMs device implanted so the doctor needed the larger channel that would accommodate the device. My first two through the arm were at my request because I read the European articles on perceived benefits of that route. Now having my last one through the neck, I am a believer that the neck is the way to go!

By the way, it's called a "wedge" reading because the doctor "wedges" in a tiny latex balloon into your artery and then measures the pressure against that balloon. Sometimes they can't get the balloon in as far as ideal which can slightly throw off the wedge reading which is why they are supposed to be prepared to do the Fluid Challenge if Left Heart Disease is suspected..