I’d say follow the medics advice. The angiogram is not too bad, it does not hurt, it just feels strange. When I had mine I simply (in my head) counted from one to a hundred, whenever I got to one hundred or got disturbed (the doctors sometimes ask questions) I simply started from one again. A simple, mental distraction technique.

Ask your doctor.

I'm having an angiogram on the 20th (this coming Wednesday). I am not looking forward to it, did everything I could think of including begging my cardiologist to reschedule the cardiac MRI he cancelled saying he felt I should have the angiogram instead.

I don't want it and the biggest reason I don't is actually my fear it's going to hurt. I absolutely hate needles, even a simple blood draw is bad enough to me so the thought of the drip being inserted, the cannula and then wires feeding up and around and through, well it all has me in 'NO NO NO NO, I don't want this' mode!

But Wednesday morning will find me at the hospital checking in for the angiogram - I trust my cardiologist and he says I need this procedure. He knows I'm really afraid and has ordered 'anxiety' medication. That should help and you might want to ask your doctor for something to be given just before they get started.

Do you trust your cardiologist? If you do, then go to the angiogram. As my husband says, it's better to know than to wonder. And do ask for pain and anxiety medication to be given before the procedure begins.

Hello and welcome to the forum! First off get health information from reliable sites like the BHF and NHS ones. Just Googling or going on Facebook is likely to give you totally out-of-date or incorrect information! Everything carries a risk even getting out of bed - a friend ruptured his archilles tendon doing so but he still gets up every morning.

I have had angioplasty to the left leg and an angiogram. The only slight pain was the small prick from the needle when they administer the local anaesthetic. If you are nervous you can have a sedative. Personally I don't preferring to watch the screen to see the cause of my angina. Not going through with it means the cardiologists may not be able to diagnose and treat a serious problem!

Hi Kaklong75

I have had 2 angiograms.

Tell your doctor how you are feeling and you can be given some medication to help make feel more relaxed and calm during the angiogram.

Broken heart syndrome is now more commonly called Takotsubo syndrome/ cardiomyopathy.

The BHF has some information and Cardiomyopathy UK is also a good resource.

bhf.org.uk/informationsuppo...

cardiomyopathy.org/takotsub...

I hope this helps.

As a patient you have the right to refuse any recommended testing but it means you may not get the right diagnosis or timely treatment. The problem with medical things is fear. We avoid going to the doctor or having tests as we don’t want a bad result and may think it would be better not knowing. We always hear medical stories of things that go wrong as these make news. Angiogram is very safe and low risk when performed as a planned diagnostic procedure.

This board is here to help share information and experiences so we have more information to deal with scary situations and can make better decisions about our health.

Broken heart syndrome can mimic heart attack or angina and the only way to get an accurate diagnosis is with an angio. Its purpose is to diagnose and treat acute heart problems so the angio room is the safest place to be if you have a heart event.

I had an angio via the wrist in July. I was awake during the procedure. It was uncomfortable putting the sheath in the wrist, equivalent to numbing and filings at the dentist. The dye part of the test was painless. They found a 90% and an 80% blockage that was stented. I did have a burning feeling in my chest for a minute or so when the stents were inserted otherwise there was minimal discomfort. Prior to having the angio I had experienced one 30 minute episode of jaw tingling, but no chest pain. I was fearful of the angio but the real risk to my life was not the procedure but the 90% blockage I was unaware of.

I found the procedure no problem at all, the staff were great, there was music playing in the theatre and I was fascinated watching the screen . I am so grateful that we have access to such great medical staff and equipment. Honestly it is not something to be afraid of. ❤️

Honest, not so bad as it sounds. The Dentist frightens me more.

It’s sticking your head in the sand! I did it, didn’t enjoy it, the rather warm liquid wasn’t great, but it’s a diagnostic test and it’s silly not to do it. I’m a Complementary Therapist a can be a against invasion

I had an angiogram 2 years ago. I'm terrified of needles! Procedure was fine, no pain. Just telll the person doing angio how you feel. They're great.

Discovered I had a 50/60blocked LAD. No stent needed yet, but at least I know about it

So I'd say go for it. Good luck.

Oh thank you tinalef

I am 50/50 now to do it or not

In the UK any procedure costs the NHS a lot of money, the medical team do not request that you have it done for no reason. As others have said it is the main diagnostic tool for anything heart related.

I've had 2, one in 2017 and one this year. Yes uncomfortable but I would not say painful. The team are professional and know what they are doing. Both of mine were accessed through my wrists, which is a quicker recovery as with access through the groin, you need to lay down for a number of hours after the procedure.

I for one was anxious but you must trust the experts.

Get it done, there's no choice if you value your life.

Don't ever take notice of Facebook 😔

Thanks for the comments which helped me decide that I really must go through with the angiogram that has been recommended for me. It doesn't sound too bad! Pity the hospital is 80 miles away........

I have broken heart syndrome (or takotsubot cardiomyopathy) which was only confirmed after the consultant got results from my angiogram.

No blockages, only enlarged heart... family history made them check "just in case" and if the asked me to do again I would... finding out your heart will heal is the best news you can get!

All I felt was a scratching on my wrist throughout the whole procedure. No pain whatsoever and no feeling down my arm or around my heart. I was quite bored actually.

There really isn’t anything to be afraid of. Believe it or not, but it is true. I’ve had 6 angiograms with stents fitted on 3 different occasions. Admittedly I’m still suffering with problems that they can’t work out what is wrong. But what I’m saying is, have the angio, you’ll be fine.

I was scared too.Very scared.But this was just me.It is normal to not want to have a test.But my angiogram showed me why my heart was struggling.I didn't need stents.But it gave me useful info as to why my heart was unhappy.I take my meds,lost some weight.

my mum had broken heart( when I was ill with gut problems).Then a heart attack.She had angio too.

At 89 she is still up trees sawing branches.

angio is useful.It can give you information to help you to heal.Do not be ashamed to feel scared.This is normal.I got a bit of sedative.

It is riskier to not have angio than have it.

you can heal.

Broken hearts can mend.

People with broken heart syndrome may have sudden chest pain or think they're having a heart attack. Broken heart syndrome affects just part of the heart, temporarily disrupting your heart's normal pumping function. The rest of the heart continues to function normally or may even have more forceful contractions.

The symptoms of broken heart syndrome are treatable, and the condition usually reverses itself in days or weeks.

A temporary constriction of the large or small arteries of the heart has been suspected to play a role. People who have broken heart syndrome may also have a difference in the structure of the heart muscle.

there is no pain love i can assure you dont skip it beath deep you will be fine

I had a n angiogram 10 months ago didn't feel a thing going in saw the picks brilliant left heart elongated cardiomyopathy with apariel ballooning.

we are going to remove it now and your finished wonderful says me, the it happens my vein is in spasm and they cant get it out, doctors running around panicking, the pain was becoming really bad and I was fainting, the squeezed my arm for 15 minuets and then pulled it out the pain was indescribable. i was then sent to intensive care where my are was held above my head in a sling for 4 hours as they couldn't stop the bleeding it was pouring out, it was black for 4 weeks after, I think i was just unlucky.