Im a little bit concerned as there are risks with most things invasive. Also, if you have constant bigems, couplets and trigems - 300 an hour extra, surely this must increase the risk factor. I know I could ask the medics but Id rather have your opinion as we appear to have a bit more common sense. I can turn this procedure down. Im definitely not getting the right feeling about it at the moment.
Many thanks Ann
I had an angiogram and no problem. Why would you want to turn down a procedure which may help to define what is wrong with your heart.?
Bob
Good Question Bob - will have the brain ponder that one whilst I catch up on a few ZZZzzzzzzs
Hi Ann,I was told they wanted to do an angiogram as something came up on treadmill test I was'nt too keen so in the end I had a Dolbutamide stress test, when I was having it done the sonographer,( think that's what echo test person is called) said that NICE have now recommended that this is done first as it is less invasive and if problems then do angiogram. Don't know if this is right or not but can't think she would have said it to make me feel better. My heart was flopping around throughout procedure and she said it was just more of a challenge. Of course we are all advised to have different tests done depending on our personal medical histories, but it does n't do any harm to ask if there is an alternative in your case. Best wishes Kath.
Many thanks Kath - Had a few things not gone as planned and guess I need some reassurance.
Ann
Quite right too Anne my angiogram was far from easy so not everyone is the same. You ask ask ask. There are some quite abrupt opinionated replies on here as in lots of groups so don't be put off. Its all scary stuff we need to support each other x
Thanks - it's not personal - & I don't take offence. I'm happy for people who have had a relatively smooth ride through things. Lol x
i had angiogram too life saver
Oh Wonderful - I've worked out that it is potentially a brilliant procedure - which occasionally doesn't go well. The information and others experience received so far will go 99% to helping me 'make up my mind' .... I'll have my assessment .5% and then my intuition .5% on the day. So basically I'll know what's right for me on the day. Thanks again.
Hi Ann, I also had an angiogram with no problems. At least it let me know that my coronary arteries are ok.
Walter
Yes - a process of elimination if nothing else. Many thanks Walter.
I have had an Angio it was no big deal apart form having to lie still on my back for a while. It shows size of coronary arteries and picks up any blockages (ischemia)
I too had an angiogram no problems was worried but it was ok .
The angiogram helped the cardiologists to know better the state of my arteries following an inconclusive scan. A no brainer in my opinion. Also helped to alleviate my anxiety about an ablation which I also subsequently had.
Yup - I thought this myself at first and then I read the printout on it and thought yikes. I know they told me that they had a successful scan but I also know from reading that it doesn't show everything. Many thanks
My cardiologist gave me a choice. Instead of an invasive angiogram I chose to have a CT angiogram. I was able to leave the hospital immediately following the procedure. I was only in the hospital for one hour. The results were very clear.
Thought I'd replied to you but wrong. I need to do some homework as you're not the first to mention alternative procedures. I have my assessment on Monday so I have time.
Thankd
Please do your research. I don't want to scare you, but invasive angiogram has been known to cause a blood clot.
Thanks - I read that. I also have hypercholesterolaemia (familial). I can't work out their reasoning to take and keep me off statins (after a hospital stay last summer) which Id been on for 5 years, as it was at normal levels & is now nearly 9. Also I had what they suspect was a PE and TIAs. The EP says he has this covered with the MRI - they scanned lower and up to my brain.
In my mind I wonder whether this wire could dislodge some plaque. Also that if the echocardiogram couldn't be read properly because of my hearts activity that someone guiding a wire may have problems.
Sorry - under usual circumstances, I fight bears but something, not fear, is making me cautious.
I had an Angiogram before Hybrid Ablation. All went well until they asked be to step down from the table but I couldn't feel my left arm or leg. Surgeon immediately recalled to asses my condition, he said. " you'll be okay in about 10 - 15 minutes as sometimes when we insert the wire some things come off the wall and go north....... You've had a mini stroke !!!!
But all was well in the end .
when i had one picked up i needed 2 stents blocked arteries so worth it. hope this helps.
Exactly - I think the benefits outweigh the risks & I'm pleased yours was a success.
Yep I've also had an angiogram no problem, as have millions of other people.
I just checked - the mortality rate is 0.1% to 0.25%. Not sure if that helps you either way really but I think the anxiety of it after being described is MUCH worse than actually having it done.
Yes It helped to eliminate what they thought and didn't show any other problems having it done was a comfort as now I know I only have the dreaded AF
I had an angiogram in relation to my AF , it was very very straightforward with me chatting to the staff as it went long. In my case everything was found to be as it should and shed no further light on my AF.
The day I had mine there was 7 others before me, all seemed very routine and straightforward. From my experience you have absolutely nothing to fear.
I had an angiogram and if they found a stent would of helped while there they would of put one in. I did not need any but it did confirm some of my problems they thought I had. I found I was allergic to iodine as a result of the Angiogram. But I have had 3 ablations and if they wanted to do another I would say YES without thinking.
I also found the whole experience fascinating.
Be Well
Thanks Offcut. This is something else I realise. If there is any need - procedures can be done there and then.
There's obviously been a cancellation as I received a call to see if I'd be available on 10 July -hadn't really given it much thought quite honestly.
Thanks for your help.. Ann
Hi,I haven't had an angiogram and was just wondering if I should have had one as there is a history of heart disease in my family.I had an ablation at the beginning of March,still have flutters and odd beats but was wondering should I have had an angiogram?. Hope all goes well for you.☺
Thanks for your good wishes - your question makes me think that whoever carried out your ablation must have had the information he/she required in order to do so. If you're in any doubt I think your Dr will be the first port of call for you.
Keep Well
I had one no prob just lie. There and let them do the job
An angiogram can either detect problems confirm that none exist - in either case preferable to remaining in igrnorance. I have had two and in each case a stent was inserted to deal with a partial blockage after which I was much better. The procedure is fairly quick and relatively painless and in my view well worth while.
Thank you Bolanger - there's a really positive in the fact that this procedure can be carried out there and then if necessary and thank you also for letting me know how immediate your results were. Also the fact that you had blockages and how easily they were dealt with with no repercussions.
I have had three angiograms. Two of them were disasters. I apparently have narrow blood vessels in my groin which makes me unsuitable for the procedure, especially on the right hand side.
The first procedure was more painful than childbirth as they could not gain access and they ended up doing a brachial cutdown in the inside of my elbow, a method which is no longer used. In the second procedure, the cardiologist didn't believe the problems that I had before. he couldn't get in via the right groin, so used the left. My blood pressure went through the the floor, a huge haemaoma developed and I virtually blacked out and had to be revived. I wish I had made a formal complaint and now have a deep mistrust of doctors.
On the third occasion I was prepped for open heart surgery. A CT angiogram had been tried but my AF made it impossible for them to get a clear image. I fought like hell to avoid having the angiogram but the surgeon wasn't prepared to operate without it. Through the sedation, I could hear them having problems, just like I told them they would, though they did take my advice about not using the right side.
I am hopefully a fairly rare exception but I think we should all be careful generalising.
No I thank you for letting me know your experiences as they will help me make decisions when I go for the assessment. I understand only too well what it's like not to be listened too and that the medical profession are far from infallible. I am sorry to hear them mind you and for the pain and trauma you have had to endure.
Oh Brill - so pleased about that. Hope you keep well and thanks for replying. 😄
I had an angiogram through my arm and the next day they did another angiogram through my thigh. That one gave me a blood clot. The angiogram is the best procedure to know if you have blockages, it turned out that I did have blockages and I had a triple bypass the following week.
Had an angiogram plus a stent 23 months ago it all went smoothly if you are still worried you can talk to a nurse at the British Heart Foundation tel 0300 330 3311
Angiograms can be done in the arm or the groin. The arm one has a shorter recovery period where you need to lay quiet for a shorter time after the procedure. You can watch the screen, if you wish, as they do it. When I went, it was like a bus stop, all the beds lined up and cycled through. I was lucky. The doctor said I had arteries like those of a child so to keep doing whatever I was doing. The doctor will only go so far with the procedure if problems are encountered. This probably reduces the risk factor. Good luck with it and ask for the wrist if it can be done that way.
Many thanks for that - it's good to know that you're monitored & that they will stop if necessary. I'll ask when having my assessment about what the Dr who's doing mine has as his usual procedures. Shame the NHS isn't geared up as I'd love to have discussed it with him directly. Thx so much
I have had three Angiograms over a period of many years so I have seen the difference in what happens today and the way it used to be. As with any other procedure there are always risks. My own mum found out from an angiogram that she was allergic ,along with many other people at the time, to the dye that was used . This dye was then changed. there are lots of things that can go wrong with any invasive procedure but at the end of the day the choice is down to you. Ask for all the information, if you are worried even during the procedure , ask !! and if the bottom line is still you having qualms about going ahead listen to your body . It is yours and you are in control of what happens to it and if you don't feel happy about having the Angiogram don't have it. Hope you do though as i did and they found out the first one I had to have a double bi pass and the second one 18 years later i had to have a triple bi pass both of which saved my life. I hope you have a happy conclusion whatever you decide .
Many thanks for your reply. So glad yours were as successful as they were. I came away from the pre-assessment today and thought, Ann its a great procedure that saves many lives and you have control over this right up to the last second, & your reply was there saying the same thing to confirm it. Coincidence? - I doubt it.
Has anyone out there had my problem. 
Has anyone had digestive problems with Rivaroxaban?
Has anyone has surgical ablation carried out by Dr Stuart Tan in Basildon Hospital?
