I have an angiogram next week. I’m a little nervous about (a) the incision into the femoral artery and (b) the obvious bit about having a probe shoved inside my heart.
Any insights would be really welcome. Especially in terms of how long the procedure takes, is there any pain etc. during the procedure.
Thanks
Hi. I had mine 2wks ago. They had trouble putting mine throu my wrist so did it throu my groin. That was fine. No efforts. Little plug. No problems no pain. Good luck your be fine x
Thanks - I really appreciate it.
Hi R_B.
I had it done about 7 weeks ago and had 3 stents put in. It took about 2 hours to complete but it was quite painless (I felt a little scratch on the wrist where they inserted the catheter) and after another couple of hours of resting/monitoring after the procedure, I went home.
Everyone reacts differently to this procedure. Ask for pain medication if you do experience any. Your level of discomfort will depend on how blocked your arteries are. My angiogram took over 2 hours (3 stents) but I had 99% blockage.
An angiogram tends to mean where they look at the state of the arteries and angioplasty is when they open up the artery with a balloon and/or insert stents. I had angioplasty via the femoral artery for the left leg (for PAD - peripheral arterial disease) and an angiogram via the wrist when they diagnosed severe CVD (cardio vascular disease). I had a bypass as calcification meant that stents were not an option.
In both cases all I felt was a prick where I received a local anaesthetic before they cut the artery to go in. Bleeding can sometimes be a problem and I personally think the procedure needs to be followed by two hours before rest if they use the wrist and four if they go via the groin.
Sedation is an option if you get very nervous but I found following the procedures on the screen informative and fascinating!
I have to admit I’m pretty squeamish about this sort of thing so had to look away! My stenting experience (post HA) wasn’t discomfort free - but certainly bearable with mild sedation.
My angiogram was a few years ago now, went up to London and home after ( same day) by train.
My only advice is make sure you pee before the procedure, as you're not allowed to get up for an hour or two after!!
The following day, I found out I was allergic to the contrast dye used.
( Red rash on one half of my face, and opposite ear!!)
No pain for me, but I know when my brother had his, he was in quite a lot of pain ( turns out they had taped his testicle to his leg!!) 😂
Fascinating to watch if you can X
I have had 6 angiograms 3 of them angioplasty my last one was last week. Truthfully there is nothing to it the hardest part is keeping still, when you have lumbar and cervical spondylosis that is quite a task lol. Good luck for your angiogram.
had mine through the wrist no pain at all. the worst part was the cuff you have to wear afterwards, was uncomfortable
I've had an angiogram and 2 stents inserted via my wrist on different ocassions. So been through this 3 times this year. You will be offered a sedative, do say yes to it. It helped a lot.
No pain for the the angio; in the first stent, I went to sleep briefly.
Second stent was a bit different as it was 48mm (2 inches ) long. Very aware of that one.
Mostly I was just lieing there wondering when they were going to start, then suddenly I was told it was all over after about 30 minutes.
One thought. do go to the loo before the procedure
Try to relax and you'll be fine.
Good luck
Hi I have had 2 angiograms 1st was as an emergency so to be honest didn't know much about it but the 2nd was routine and to be honest absolutely nothing to worry about i would rather have another angiogram than a tooth filling timing can very but as i said nothing to worry about the only thing i felt was the injection to numb the area where they insert the probe Good Luck
Hello,
I'm no hero , trust me not painfull you will be fine.
I had the mild meds as just to relax during procedure.
Good luck with yours, no need to worry x
Had one a fortnight ago not worth your worry .apart from a blunt push which u will now know about theirs nothing to worry about
The scar from my angiogram is about 3mm long, if that reassures you any about the incision part. I quite often look at it and wonder how on earth they managed to put something in there and get it all the way to my heart. But they did, and they do it every single day. I was quite heavily sedated throughout (worth asking for sedation if you are nervous) and that might be why I felt a bit queasy for the rest of the day. Overall, though, the worst thing about the procedure was the worrying beforehand. And this comes from someone whose procedure didn't actually go entirely smoothly (I have stupidly narrow arteries, apparently) so your experience will likely be even less unpleasant. Hope all goes well and that you have been slightly reassured by everyone's comments.
Hi
I had my angiogram last Tuesday and 5 stents inserted. Lasted about 2 1/2 hours. Watched the whole thing on 55” screen!!!! The team were absolutely brilliant and really looked after me. Although it all seemed a bit daunting before I went in it was all absolutely fine and no scars or marks whatsoever. I’m now resting at home and starting on my journey to full recovery. 😄
Ross
Hi I had mine's a few months ago, through the wrist and apart from the fact they had try both my wrists and a bit of extra digging it was absolutely fine. You'll be fine and the staff are usually very reassuring and keep you informed
Hi i have had two Angiograms first was not a success my heart was racing, had a second some time later it was suggested to try medication to slow heart rate Amiodarone they had some success with it, but it has side effects, the old saying you take a tablet to fix one thing and it causes another
Thanks to everyone for your insight. Really helpful and reassuring. Thanks
I've had one and had 2 lots of the calming drug... Can't remember what it's called sorry.... And it's nerve racking but not as awful as you might think ... There are no nerves in your heart so you don't feel anything but may feel bits around your chest or back area .... Like most have said it's the cuff that's horrid... Mine was a bit too tight and my hand went blue ... I had little blue pin pruck sized dots on my hand for a good few hours but I'm not dead so all is good.... Good luck and positive thoughts really do help X
I had 2 angiograms over 20 years ago. They have had lots of practise and are really good at them. There was bo pain. I enjoyed watching the probes progress through my arteries. I actually saw the blockages. Wow! The only bitch I have about it was having to lie down for 2 hours afterwards and being fed soup for lunch. I got covered in it.
I've had several, didn't even realise they had started until the guy said, We are in the heart now. I asked the doctor how many he had done. He said Thousands, I'm doing ten today. They are really good at it
I broke a rib playing football the week before mine. Was so sore I never felt a thing. So one solution is to break a rib! Seriously, at worst slightly uncomfortable but really no problem. Mine went in the wrist which was slightly sore for a few days afterwards. I spoke to one of the technicians during the process which was a good distraction for me. Best wishes - think you will find it "a breeze"_Pablo 😎⚽️🍷
Angiogram and anticoagulants 
Angiogram experience
Angiogram imminent now
Angiogram Update & Results
