This book is the ultimate guide to cardiac catheterization (heart cath) and angioplasty in the US. It gives you the information you need to be firmly in the driver's seat, from preparing for the first hospital visit, through the heart cath and angioplasty procedures, to the quickest routes to recovery. Real-life patient stories, extensive self-help sections, and detailed illustrations fully explain the procedures, and a glossary and who's who of medical staff take the mystery out of medicine. Also included are a comprehensive directory to Internet and other resources, a guide to complementary therapies, and a diary to help you keep track of your treatment--and your recovery.