Coronary Angiography
What is coronary angiography?
A coronary angiogram is a medical procedure employing X-ray imaging to visualize the blood vessels in your heart, primarily conducted to assess potential blockages or restrictions in blood flow to the heart.
Why is it performed?
Your cardiologist might suggest a coronary angiogram if you experience any of the following:
- Chest pain
- Discomfort in your chest, jaw, neck, or arm that remains unexplained by previous tests.
- A congenital heart condition you were born with.
- Irregular findings on a non-invasive heart stress test.
- Other issues with your blood vessels or a chest injury.
- A heart valve problem necessitates surgical intervention.
How is it performed?
You will be sedated before the procedure. Electrodes will be affixed to your chest to monitor your heart. A catheter will be entered into the arm by making an incision. The catheter is threaded to your coronary arteries. A dye is injected through this catheter. As the dye flows through your heart, the doctor will be able to observe the blood flow and any blockages if present through the monitor. It takes around 1 hour to complete.
