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Coronary Angiogram: Before Your Procedure
Coronary Angiogram: Before Your ProcedureA coronary angiogram is a test that helps your doctor check how well blood is flowing through your coronaryarteries. These arteries wrap around your heart and supply your heart muscle with blood that carries oxygenand other nutrients. And because your heart is a muscle, it needs this oxygen-rich blood to work.The doctor uses the angiogram to check for places where plaque has narrowed your arteries. If you havecoronary artery disease, the coronary arteries can become narrowed by plaque.Plaque is a buildup of cholesterol and fats. And it can limit blood flow. Before your procedure, you may getmedicine that relaxes you or puts you in a light sleep. The area being worked on will be numb.The doctor puts a thin, flexible tube called a catheter into a blood vessel in your wrist or groin and moves it toyour heart. As the doctor puts the catheter in and moves it through your blood vessel, you may feel a littlepressure. But it won't hurt.To guide the catheter, the doctor looks at X-ray pictures on a monitor. Next, a dye is injected through thecatheter into your arteries. This makes your coronary arteries show up on the monitor.The dye helps the doctor see the blood flow in your coronary arteries and if there are any areas of narrowingthat are limiting blood flow. If you have a narrowed or blocked artery, your doctor may also do a procedure towiden the artery to create more room for blood to flow.This is called angioplasty. A tiny balloon is inflated to widen the artery. The doctor may use the balloon to placea stent in the artery. A stent is an expandable tube that opens as the balloon is inflated. The stent stays in theartery to keep it open.When the doctor is finished, the catheter will be removed, and you'll likely stay in the recovery room for a fewhours. If the catheter was put in your groin, you will need to lie still and keep your leg straight for up to a fewhours.Pressure may be put on the catheter insertion site to make sure it has healed enough to stop any bleeding.You may be able to go home later the same day, or you may need to stay in the hospital overnight.Before the procedure, tell your doctor about all the medicines and natural health products you take, especiallyblood thinners. Some can raise the risk of bleeding or cause problems with anesthesia.Your doctor will tell you which medicines to take or stop before the procedure. And follow your doctor'sdirections for preparing for your procedure, including when you should stop eating and drinking.Bring your photo ID, health insurance card, and any paperwork your hospital may have asked for. Having anangiogram can be stressful. But knowing what to expect and how to prepare can help.And remember, you can always call your doctor if you have questions or concerns.This program is for informational purposes only. Publisher disclaims all guarantees regarding the accuracy, completeness,or suitability of this video for medical decision making. For all health related issues please contact your healthcare provider.© The Wellness Network
Heart & Vascular Center
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