Coronary Angiogram with Possible Treatment: Before Your Procedure

What is a coronary angiogram?

A coronary angiogram is a test to look at the blood vessels of your heart. These are called the coronary arteries. You may have this test to see if any of these arteries are narrowed or blocked. The test may also be used to measure the pressure in your heart's chambers. A doctor will put a thin, flexible tube into a blood vessel in your groin or wrist. This tube is called a catheter.

During the test, the doctor moves the catheter through the blood vessel and into your heart. Then the doctor puts a dye into the catheter. This makes your coronary arteries show up on a screen. Your doctor can see if the arteries are blocked or narrowed.

If you have a narrowed or blocked artery, the doctor may do an angioplasty or a coronary stent procedure. In an angioplasty, the doctor puts a catheter with a tiny balloon at the tip into the blocked area and inflates it. The balloon presses the fatty buildup (plaque) against the walls of the artery. This makes more room for blood to flow.

In most cases, the doctor then puts a stent in the artery. A stent is a small, expandable tube. It presses against the walls of the artery. The stent is left in the artery to keep it open. This helps blood flow. The catheter is removed from your body.

How do you prepare for the procedure?

Procedures can be stressful. This information will help you understand what you can expect. And it will help you safely prepare for your procedure.

Preparing for the procedure

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  Be sure you have someone to take you home. Anesthesia and pain medicine will make it unsafe for you to drive or get home on your own.
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  Understand exactly what procedure is planned, along with the risks, benefits, and other options.
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  Tell your doctor ALL the medicines, vitamins, supplements, and herbal remedies you take. Some may increase the risk of problems during your procedure. Your doctor will tell you if you should stop taking any of them before the procedure and how soon to do it.
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  If you take a medicine that prevents blood clots, your doctor may tell you to stop taking it before your procedure. Or your doctor may tell you to keep taking it. (These medicines include aspirin and other blood thinners.) Make sure that you understand exactly what your doctor wants you to do.
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  Make sure your doctor and the hospital have a copy of your advance directive. If you don't have one, you may want to prepare one. It lets others know your health care wishes. It's a good thing to have before any type of surgery or procedure.

What happens on the day of the procedure?

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  Follow the instructions exactly about when to stop eating and drinking. If you don't, your procedure may be canceled. If your doctor told you to take your medicines on the day of the procedure, take them with only a sip of water.
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  Take a bath or shower before you come in for your procedure. Do not apply lotions, perfumes, deodorants, or nail polish.
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  Do not shave the procedure site yourself.
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  Take off all jewelry and piercings. And take out contact lenses, if you wear them.

At the hospital or surgery center

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  Bring a picture ID.
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  You will be kept comfortable and safe by your anesthesia provider. You may get medicine that relaxes you or puts you in a light sleep. The area being worked on will be numb.
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  After the procedure, pressure may be applied to the area where the catheter was put into your artery. This will help prevent bleeding. A small device may also be used to close the blood vessel. You may have a bandage or a compression device on the catheter site.
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  Nurses will check your heart rate and blood pressure. The nurse also will check the catheter site for bleeding.
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  If the catheter was put in your groin, you will need to lie still and keep your leg straight for up to a few hours. The nurse may put a weighted bag on your leg to help you keep it still.
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  If the catheter was put in your wrist, you may be able to sit up right away. But you will need to keep your arm still for at least one hour.
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  You may be able to go home later the same day, or you may need to stay in the hospital overnight.
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  You may have a bruise and feel sore where the catheter was put in. This is normal and will go away.