Since being diagnosed (over the phone!) with suspected angina last November I've been waiting for an angiogram appointment, that day is nearly here! I go in on Monday and am feeling more than a little anxious! I know a lot of people here have had at least 1 and I shouldn't worry so much but my stomach knots up just thinking about it (or writing this!) I've had an x-ray and echo and both have been considered 'normal' whatever that means.
So a few questions!
Are there any 'dos and don'ts' with regards to the whole process etc?
I've been told my appointment is 9am but don't know if that's when I have the process, I hope it's not much later as I've been told to have a light breakfast at 7am and I do get lightheaded if I have too long between meals. I guess a light breakfast is a bowl of cereal/porridge or toast etc and not a full English? Why is this? Not that I have a big breakfast anyway!
I've been told to wear loose clothing but also to take dressing gown and slippers, is this because I'll wear a hospital gown?
Apparently I'll have to wait on the ward for about 3 hrs post procedure, can I get up and walk - like to the loo! - or is it strict bed rest? I can't take my phone or iPad so I guess I'll be reading a big chunk of my book!
I'm on low dose aspirin but haven't been told to stop taking it, did anyone else who takes it have to stop before an angio?
As I tend to konk out if I take any form of meds supposed to just make me drowsy I don't really want a sedative, is it ok to take a natural calming tincture with aspirin, Atorvastatin and Bedranol ?
That's all I can think of for now but anything else I may find useful please let me know!
I'm hoping once this is done I will finally get to talk to someone about all this as so far I've not even spoken to a doctor since diagnosis let alone a cardiologist.
Thanks in advance, Debbie. x
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Hi Debbie,It depends what type of angiogram you are having? I didnt have the one where they inject dye. i had a ct angiogram where they inserted a wire through my artery in right arm, then inserted a stent. I was allowed to keep all my clothes on as there were no wires or metal in my clothing. The whole procedure was just over an hour. I was given pain relief through a catheter in my left arm. I t was not agony, but it was very uncomfortable and somewhat painful at times. you might not feel the same so i wouldn't worry. I had to wait 4 hours before i could go home as they put a pressure devise on your wrist after the procedure and they have to know that you have stopped bleeding before you can be discharged. I was allowed to walk around and go to the toilet afterwards, and i was also offered a meal and tea. I would make a note of all your questions and ask the nurses when you are in hospital waiting for your procedure. They are used to answering anything you are unsure of. Everything will be explained to you before the procedure and you will be well looked after. The light breakfast is only incase you need surgery!! that is how it was explained to me. Good luck
Hi Doora. It's a coronary angiogram, that's all I know! The letter and info I have says they will use my groin, don't know if that's just generic to the info sheet or specific to my case.
It also says I need to stay on the ward for 3 hrs afterwards. One of my biggest worries is needing a wee! 😂 A cup of tea would be very welcome but only if I'm allowed to the toilet as it goes through me very quickly! I did wonder if that was the reason for a light breakfast but I'm hopeful that won't be the case!Thank you.
If you are asked to wear a mask, ensure it doesn't slip down, tickle your nose, and make you sneeze halfway through the procedure. I can report that's very dangerous. I don't know the answers to your questions but I can say that during mine, I wasn't asked about sedation, and I wasn't aware of receiving any, but I was serenely relaxed, including chatting with the surgeon and looking at my own heart on the screen while he was working on me. I'll assume they had given me something. I had been on dual platelet therapy for two days when it was carried out.
The only difficulty I had was when they removed the catheter at the end - that was painful, but apparently rare and due to me having a narrow radial artery.
Ooo I'd forgot that might be a possibility, luckily the ones I have fit very well but I do worry about sneezing, coughing or having an itch!I'm happy to have a very mild sedation but maybe I should warn them it might make me drift off completely! I'm hoping I can see the screen too, it will be fascinating to see my own heart!
Once I was diagnosed with angina I had to have a stress test BEFORE an angiogram was even talked about. I don't think a consultation over the phone to diagnose angina is an issue, To be honest I had about diagnosed myself based on the kind of pain and when it occurred, the basic ECG didn't show anything. The stress test showed anomalies which then resulted in the angiogram which eventually led to bypass surgery, the process made total sense to me and 4 years later still going strong!
As for the angiogram itself, it was very straightforward at first, I had it inserted via the groin, be ready for a warm feeling inside as the dye is released. I kind of watched the screen but lost interest until the Dr said 'that is interesting' I realised something wasn't right. The entry was 'plugged' so after a few hrs the Dr came around, told me his findings (a blockage) and the road to the bypass started. The issue I had was after the process I had a headache from hell, the nursing staff gave me a pain killer and the headache subsided, 3 days later I had a stroke! I was very very lucky that even though the stroke wasn't diagnosed until the 4th day it was a mild stroke and apart from an irregular twitch of my left hand I am fine.
I know it can be frightening but the process itself is in the main painless, I didn't have any sedatives and they only used a local to numb the entry area for the catheter. It is an amazing procedure and thankfully it can prepare the Drs for what is going on in your heart.
Hi Heather. Since my phone diagnosis which was based on very little info from me and being told 'here take these meds' I've not had any follow up which considering it's a heart issue is a little scary, luckily the meds seem to be doing their job and I don't really notice I have a problem.I've had a 'normal' echo and x-ray so it will be interesting to see what this reveals.
By the sounds of it I shall have it inserted through the groin too, any excuse to spend a few days with my feet up on the sofa!
Goodness that must have been scary but thankfully it was mild and not a lot of after effects.
I'm a worrier beforehand but hopefully once things get underway I'll be fine.
It is quite natural to be a worrier, let's be honest anything to do with the heart is bound to worry you. My first visit to the GP led to a diagnosis of acid reflux!! I knew it wasn't that but took the antacids and no surprise they didn't work. Of course all the symptoms were classic angina, if I went for a walk after a minute or so I would get a pain in my chest which eventually subsided after about 10 mins but would quickly come back after. It took months and months before I actually got to angiogram stage and then a good 4/5 months to surgery. I was given the spray once the GP said it was angina but even pre Covid it will take some time. Good luck and keep asking questions 4 years ago I found this forum invaluable, I look back at my posts and see I used it as a diary and it was so helpful and even now a good reminder.
Yes and worrying isn't good for heart issues!Oh my goodness, I thought I'd had some dodgy doctors!
I was told it would take around 9 months to get the angiogram so knew there was a long wait but luckily I rarely get any symptoms so it's not something that's stopped me doing my normal things.
Thank you, this forum has been a godsend for information and support, I'm so glad I found it as I've not had any information from anywhere else, except Google which didn't do me any good in the first 3 days after diagnosis and I ended up in A&E, think it was probably more starting the meds and getting anxious about it all as everything came back as fine.
Hello
Everyone as always has given you great replies so all I can add is I am the biggest worrier suffer with sever anxiety and I had the procedure done so if I can do it anyone can and I mean anyone so try and relax it is nothing like we build it up to be remember getting this done get's you the answers you need to get the right treatment and you will be fine
You are so right, it's the waiting that's the worst bit, I keep saying, this time next week it will all be over! I'm anxious about what they'll find though but hopefully nothing too bad!Thank you, I'll let you know! x
I know it is not easy but try telling yourself if and it is a if they did find anything that would be a good thing because they could sort it and some people do not get that chance and again I know better than anyone about been anxious but all the worrying will not change if or if they don't find anything so try and look at it either way it is a good thing you are getting this done Honestly I am telling you I am the most anxious person there is and I did it so I know you will
Again not easy but if you can try when the thoughts come in your mind to cast them out telling yourself I won't worry about it today as I don't have to I will get on with today and I will deal with it when the time comes and you will x
It is important you don't stop aspirin, I enjoy watching while they explore my heart. They give me a cd to take home, so I have a collection of heart moves. They like to ask questions while they do angiogram. Once I asked the cardiologist if I could choose the colour, he said it's a bit like buying a car in the old days, only one choice. There are nurses who during the procedure ask if you want help, I have a bad back, so they allow a rolled towel under knees. It's all about letting them know what will help you. I've had some in groin, and wrist, they prefer wrist as recovery quicker. Listen to instructions. You do have to remain still after for a bit, but again, nurses there to make time go faster. All the best! Moni
I'm hoping I can see the screens so can watch what they are doing, it would be great to have something to bring home!
I don't have the best back so one of my concerns is if I'll be ok laying on a hard bed for 30 + mins, maybe I should practice laying on the floor for a bit!
All the info I've read says groin so don't know if that's this hospital's preference but I think I'd prefer the wrist. I have a book to take to read so hopefully any time spent on the ward afterwards will go quickly.
Hi I had an Angiogram last November and can honestly say I didn't have any pain at the time nor afterwards. I had to remain in bed for about 2.5 hours afterwards and had to use a bed pan for a wee. I returned home the next day.
I would accept some sedation , it can be a bit uncomfortable when they put the catheter in . Also they don't want you to move too much .Sometimes they don't do the angiogram as soon as you get there, so warn them you get light headed .
They don't want you to eat too much because of the sedation.
I had a fluid drip in my arm to stop me getting dehydrated.
You have to stay in bed afterwards because they put the other catheter into your femoral artery and they don't want it to bleed afterwards.
I'm sure there'll be no problem with bringing a commode to your bed or giving you a bed pan.
Don't worry, ( I was very anxious); you'll be fine .xx They talk to you during the procedure . They showed me the result afterwards.
If you have an itch , tell them and they they will scratch it !
In case they don't offer you a sandwich afterwards , it might be a good idea to take a snack with you .
Hi Isobel.Maybe a little sedation might be a good idea, I guess if I let them know I don't tolerate it very well they may give me less than normal. I had a call this morning saying could I go in at 10.30am instead of 9am and I should go for the procedure around 11am so not too long to wait beforehand, still can't have breakfast after 7am but the lady I spoke to said just tell them I get lightheaded, apparently there are 2 diabetics in at the same time who will need food.
The info does say I'll be in bed on the ward for about 3 hrs afterwards so I have my book! Taking a snack for afterwards is a good idea!
I'm trying not to think about it but know come Monday I'll be a quivering wreck, not helped by hubby not being able to come in with me but at least I won't have to wait long once I'm there and I'm sure that will calm me down.
I'm hoping to see the procedure or at the very list a photo of my heart to bring home!
I had an angiogram just over ten years ago after presenting with angina about six weeks earlier. I arrived at the cath lab around 8.00am and the first hour or so was taken up with consent form filling, weight and BP measurements etc. I then had to change in to the hospital gown and paper pants. I was first on the list so wheeled through to the cath lab. All the time being reassured by very attentive nursing staff. For my angiogram the entry site was the right femoral artery in the groin. Angiogram showed up severe blockage of LAD so they decide to proceed with PTCA and stent straight away. The whole procedure went very smoothly with reassurance from all staff at every stage, nurses, radiographer, cardiologist and surgeon. It’s fascinating to watch on the overhead monitors. The whole procedure took around 90 minutes I think. Immediately afterwards a nurse applied firm pressure to the entry site for quite some time. Then back to the ward for at least three hours, during this time I was told to remain horizontal. Any comfort breaks have to be taken in that position. During this time regular BP checks are taken almost every time a nurse passes the bed. They also check the pulse on the top of your foot to ensure that the blood supply is being maintained. After the angiogram please take things slowly at first. It’s very easy to overdo things. I hope that this answers some of the questions you had.All the best
I guess the form filling beforehand will pass the time, must remember my glasses! Thanks for all the info, it's good to have an idea of what happens.
I've told hubby he will be waiting on me hand and foot while I sit on the sofa with my feet up for a few days. 😉 Luckily I work for myself at home so it's easy for me to take it easy.
You may be lucky and have it through the wrist, it all depends on the consultant. Either way there will not be any walking around. They are going ion through an artery and need to control the bleeding, so keeping your blood pressure down is important.
Th time you have been given will be when the department opens, not necessarily when your appointment it. When I had mine done there was five of us all there at the same time, in different cubicles, and taken through one by one (may be different in this covid era).
My procedure took no more than about 20 mins and was quite straight forward. I got the nod from the doctor soon after to say all was ok. I was having it done before OHS for another issue.
I was eventually let out around 2ish hours after and given lots of information about what and what not to do.
Hi Peter.That's what I'm hoping, it would make life a little easier afterwards.
I had a call this morning to ask if I can be there for 10.30am and I will probably go down around 11am so not long to wait beforehand.
I'm hoping that my procedure is a quick and straightforward one too, it will be nice to eventually speak to someone and get some idea about what's going on.
Hi I had my angiogram this time last year. There were no issues with angio and everyone in Exeter Royal were really helpful. Going to the loo was allowed and other than that it was a quiet afternoon chatting to others in the day ward. The technology was a little daunting at first but the staff soon put me at ease and were very aware that it was a strange procedure for non medical people. It will be good to get a diagnosis and they really can tell amazing things with the angio. Good luck
The lady I spoke to this morning was telling me how lovely all the staff were in the unit so that helps. I've seen a couple of videos of an angiogram and there really is a lot of high tech equipment!I'm looking forward to speaking to someone at last and getting some idea of what's going on and how we proceed from here in terms of treatment.
When I had my angio at Harefield they called me in a few days before for pre-procedure checks. It was a good opportunity to ask the kind of questions you are concerned about.
I had my angio about a year ago - staff were very caring and aware of how nervous I was - I had sedation, which I usually avoid, and it was great, didn't feel out of it, just super calm.
It sounds like the staff here at the unit are all lovely which always helps, I'm starting to think maybe sedation is a good idea but I will tell them that things that might make me drowsy send me off to sleep!
Hi. I had my angiogram a few years ago with no issues. Although I was also told it was going to be via the groin and, after careful shaving the night before, they put it in my wrist😂! I did get a headache after though from the vasodilator that pumped into me but a couple of painkillers from the nurse helped with that. Good luck!
Hi Debbie, thank you so much for posting this as I am in the same position and all these replies have really helped me too. Good luck with the procedure and the outcome.😀🤞
I am booked in for 21 September.10am. I was told I should be home between 1.30-2. I too was told to still take my aspirin and that I can eat and drink on the morning.They never mentioned what to wear and take in but I think I should get something in the post with all the details. My Cardiologist is really hard to talk to and that just makes things harder/ more stressful.I'll be thinking of you on Monday and hope all goes well. Harder said than done but just try to relax and think of all these positive posts.😀🤞
You should be given a sedative then taken in for the angio. After wards, if they go in through he wrist, you will have an inflated pressure bandage fitted on your wrist and will have to stay in bed.A nurse will gradually reduce the pressure in the bandage until any bleeding stops. While you're waiting for that you will most likely be given tea and toast. Once the bandage is off you can go home. I had my last one at 9am and was home by 1pm. After my first one I think the pressure bandage wasn't quite tight enough because my arm was black with bruising from wrist to elbow but after the second I didn't even have a pin prick mark. You'd think after having one with no worries at all, even though I'd had a heart attack, I'd have been fine but I was a nervous wreck for absolutely no reason. My only complaint was that they wouldn't let me watch the monitors.. I had absolutely no pain at all; didn't feel a thing.
I'm hoping they go in through my wrist as it will make life easier afterwards. I seem to bruise easily since being on the aspirin so am anticipating a fair bit of bruising but interesting you've had one without. I shall no doubt be looking forward to tea and toast once I'm finished.
Sounds like you were in and out fairly quickly, hopefully that will be me too.I think most of us worry, it's a scary thing having investigations done because you have a heart problem, especially when there are risks involved.
I'm hoping I do get to watch the monitors but know this isn't always possible and hopefully there will be no pain!
If you are only on aspirin, they may give you a dose of ticagrelor or clopidogrel before they start. They did with me for the second one. I don't think he bruising was because of any tablets first time. I think he nurse just didn't tighten the cuff enough. You can ask for a sedative if they don't do it automatically. I was fully awake and aware; I Just didn't care LOL and it helped me to keep still. I have a very painful spine and the hard narrow metal bed would have been a nightmare without
Sorry to be the only negative poster here but- please check out the mortality and morbidity rates for this procedure BEFORE you attend the hospital, all there on Google. you will be asked to sign a consent form with very little conversation about the risks involved whilst being distracted by just being in a hospital environment . To be honest, a phone conversation about suspected angina is absolutely no reason to go through with this potentially dangerous procedure .
I know there are risks but then there are risks not getting the procedure done. I did have a cardiac nurse go through the risks with me on the phone not long after my diagnosis. Those most at risk have more serious issues to start with, my x-ray and echo came back normal and I have very few symptoms so I'm hoping I'm in the category that makes it home! I will be having a chat to find out why they feel I need this procedure and if I'm not happy that it's necessary then I won't go through with it.
Hi ,yes , please think about it, you say you have very few symptoms and your echo and x ray came back normal!!! If your quality of life is fine at the moment why take an unnecessary risk of serious life changing morbidity ( one in a thousand ) or death (one in two thousand) I doubt you would get on a holiday plane with the odds of dying being 1 in 2000 . I say this because I wish someone had brutally pointed out these risks to me before I just went along with the A and E cardiologist saying we will "just have a look at whats going on" despite being totally pain free at the time, now I definitely do have heart disease -failure and am lucky to be alive My opinion, for what it's worth, dont have the angiogram, live your normal pain free life that you have at the moment, and in a few years time non invasive scans will come on line leaving the lab just for necessary angioplasty
All the best though if you do decide to go ahead with it
I acknowledge Rubymonday when you had an angiogram that your experience wasn't a good one.
I am not sure though whether it is appropriate for one forum member to advise another forum member not to have a procedure.
It is a healthcare professional's responsibility to discuss the benefits and risks of a procedure to a person, who then can make an informed decision and sign their consent form.
"We believe healthcare can change for the better when we learn from others in the same position and empower patients to feel that they understand their situation".---- the mission statement of healthunlocked.
Yes PALS and more besides but , once you have signed that consent form ☹ It just saddens me to see people encouraging someone with "you'l be fine" comments, esp someone who has no symptoms! Most people will be fine but , if the risks aren't outweighed by the symptoms, why take the risk? . cc62 has few or no symptoms, is only on aspirin, other tests have come back negative , where that me no way would I be in that lab, just saying .
Thank you Rubymonday and Milkfairy for your input. Just to point out that I am also on Atorvastatin and Bedranol and do have pain on going uphill too fast - not that I've done that for a while, I take it slow these days! - and every now and then I get a little out of breath if I overexert myself but that could just be being unfit!I'm guessing as I have had a 'normal' ECG, x-ray and echo then an angio will give the doctors answers as to what is causing the pain and how best to treat it?
I'm really struggling to decide if I want to go ahead, the risks, however small, do scare me but then so does the thought of me having a heart attack because my condition wasn't treated properly, rock and a hard place! I haven't had the chance to talk to anybody about my condition since it was diagnosed, or the results, and hopefully will be able to on Monday when I can discuss if I really do need the procedure.
Hi cc62, Im pretty sure you are going to go ahead with your angiogram on Monday , and I'm pretty sure you will be absolutely fine, willing to bet your angiogram will not even become an angioplasty , let us know how you went on and I will be more than happy for you to call me out for scaremongering lol. All the best
At the moment yes, but it does depend on what I’m told tomorrow as if they think it’s not necessary then I’m coming home!I shall update once I can but will just let you know I’m fine that’s all! 😉
Thank you.That’s a very good way of doing things although I’ve not had the chance to speak to anybody about my condition yet so hopefully I can have a chat with someone tomorrow. My biggest worry is what happens if I do nothing, that’s scary.
Haha, I was just brushing my teeth thinking I mustn’t forget to pee just before I go down as I really do not fancy trying to use a bedpan! 🥴
Hi there. Well you’ve had a lot of replies so mine is hoping to make you smile! I paid £2,250 for a private angiogram in February this year. NHS seemed to be at a standstill so I regarded it as spending my “holiday money” in lockdown. I had wrist procedure and was extremely nervous. A technician explained that I would be able to observe everything on the screen overhead. Since I’m pretty squeamish as I laid down on the table I my asked Consultant if it would be okay to close my eyes throughout . He gently touched my shoulder and replied “Will it be alright if I close my eyes too?” which produced loud laughter from everyone present. It really broke any tension and set a lovely mood throughout. I do hope everything goes as well for you. 🤞
hubby and I did discuss me going private and I think if I'd been having more problems we might have but as I don't seem to get any symptoms now we didn't think it was necessary.Haha, sounds like you had a good consultant!
Hi I had an angiogram a couple of months ago and must reassure you that it is not as bad as you are imagining…there were 6 of us due to have the procedure and I was no.5… I watched some of it on the screen and before I knew it it was finished and I walked back to the bed… the worst part for me was the rubber bracelet thing they put on my wrist that stops the entry point bleeding as the nurse comes round every 30 minutes and loosens it a tad… I took my phone in and was able to use it… went home 4 hours afterwards with a copy of the actual angiogram… hope this helps you x
The more I read the more I want to have my wrist used instead of my groin, fingers crossed!I've been told not to take any valuables so will be taking a book and puzzle book to pass the time.
I'd really like a copy of mine to bring home to show people!
Hi CC62 yeah all 6 of us had the wrist procedure…not sure why some have wrist and others groin…my arteries were fine but the smaller veins are the problem… good luck 👍
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