Hello all -I’ve seen many posts asking what happens during an angiogram and how did it go, I had mine yesterday so I will tell you the full story / abbreviated as there is a lot of information. first thing I would say is there is virtually nothing to worry about and the procedure is fast, efficient and the level of service /attendance I received was 2nd to none.
They ask you to arrive at 8:15 and I got there at 7:30 am yesterday Tuesday, the 3rd of March. I don’t know if it was coincidence but I was 2nd to have the procedure done. They take everybody into a ward and you change into a gown At this point you can leave your underwear on. They come round and explain the procedure to you again and you sign consent forms. At the appropriate time with the accompaniment of the nurses you walk /trolley into the angiogram room (Next door) which is absolutely State of the art in our hospital -I wouldn’t like to put a price on all the equipment. There were approximately six nurses on the ward and a further six separate nurses/clinicians plus the senior cardiologist performing the angiogram. I felt completely safe and incredibly well attended to. The room is cold for deliberate purposes but they cover you with a blanket. You don’t need to do anything you can look at a mural on the ceiling you never see the thing go inside your artery, nothing .When they go in the sensation is just like somebody pressing down on your wrist too hard perhaps with a small coin then there is a tingling sensation around your hand which I will describe as unpleasant but certainly not severe pain or anything like that. The procedure is over in about 20 minutes. Then they wheel you back into the ward next door.
Tea and sandwiches followed within half an hour which were well received in my case! 1st cup of tea I’ve been able to drink for four months and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Who says hospital tea is bad! in These days of modern technology they use a strange looking clear plastic band on your wrist at the original entry point which is inflated with air to stop any bleeding. Every 15 minutes the nurse comes round to check your pulse and blood pressure And to remove some of the air which is done over a period of around an hour I would say. After around two hours its removed.
After a further couple of hours my friend took me home.
If anyone is worried about bleeding and there is any problem they can keep you there overnight but I must stress this is perhaps only for people with pre-existing problems or on blood thinning medication and even then it’s only in certain circumstances. I was explained clearly that if A bleed started it will be very slow I could call the ambulance and I would attend to me in my home. No Hollywood movie stuff here! I’ve had absolutely no issues with the entry site.
As regards those worried about dying during the procedure (!) I did make some enquiries -in approximately 10 years at my hospital where they done thousands upon thousands of these procedures three people approximately have died. All were extremely old and at least one or two of them had already had strokes/serious medical conditions. They had to have this procedure anyway because they were so ill so for the enormous majority of the population there is nothing to worry about..
I hope my post helps clarify that this is a very professionally done standardised procedure .
Finally myself?? All my Coronary arteries are in great shapeAnd there is no other abnormality that showed itself during the angiogram. HOORAY Being hooked up to a blood pressure machine for most of the day also gave me a chance to observe my heart rate and blood pressure which combined with the medication is falling now – a very good sign, my cardiologist is very pleased with the progress i am making. I would just like to use this point to thank everybody on the forum who have produced many useful testimonials that I and hundreds of other users Have used. Wishing you all the best of outcomes.
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