I had a consultation with a Cardiologist over the phone. I already take blood pressure tablets. My GP referred me to a cardiologist because I felt lightheaded & heaviness on chest. The Cardiologist recommended & prescribed statins , daily asprin. I’m very reluctant to take them. He has referred me to have a angiogram but I’m absolute terrified, as I hear there is a small risk of having a heart attack or stroke. Has anyone else had an angiogram? How did it go? Does anyone else take statins & asprin? How do you get on with them? Thanks for reading.
?
Written by
loucie
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
I don't take statins, I would takeaspirin if advised.I have had an angiogram. No medical procedure is without risk, but it is fairly minor for such a routine thing. The risk of having an undiagnosed problem is greater. ^ in my ward had them min the one day, and we were all home that same day with no problems. It would not have been offered you without good reason. I was delighted to find at 69 that I had no blood vessel problems.
Dear loucie
Hello to you, how very worrying for you this all must be.
You are at the beginning of your heart discovery journey and very soon you will not only understand what is wrong with it, how it became like it is , but also how the NHS is going to help you .
A lot of folks on here will have had an angiogram and even though we are all individuals the basic procedure is both common place and simple.
I cannot tell you how important it is to allow the NHS to perform this procedure as it begins to open the doors to your diagnosis and hopefully treatment.
The drugs that you are on are also standard issued stuff to help your heart, as time goes on they will be added to and taken away from, there strength may alter along with there timing.
Please believe me that you are not alone, we are with you as little or as much as you need.
I am not medically trained, but I have huge shoulders to cry/ scream on.
The risk of a problem with an angiogram is pretty small, about 1 or 2 cases per 1000 angiogram procedures.
It's true that for a patient who has previously had a bypass the risks are higher (about 1 or 2 cases per 100 procedures), but if you've never had a bypass I wouldn't be too concerned, especially as the quality of information that an angiogram provides is absolutely superb, allowing your doctors to make a far more informed diagnosis.
I've taken aspirin and statins for 8 years with no issues until my statin dose was put up to 80mg a day following a heart attack 6 months ago.....I'm now down to 40mg a day and it's fine. If you've been offered an angiogram jump at the opportunity, it's far better to have one now than it is after a heart attack...if indeed you survive a heart attack.
It's not that comfortable a procedure, however it's results can be incredible.
I had one 6 months ago and had a couple of stents fitted to clear blockages in my LAD....the widow maker as it's commenly known, I now feel fitter than I've felt in years.
I've had 2 heart attacks (NSTEMIs). I've had angiograms after each 'event'. The process could feel scary for us but in my experience it was painless and what you may want to remember is that whilst it is an unique experience for us, the doctors do it all the time. That's NOT to say they are blasé or anything other than totally focused and expert. As regards meds: statins, aspirin, ticagrelor, ramipril, felodopine: I can tolerate them all. I trusted everyone I came into contact in my two hospital stays of seven days each time. I hope this reassured you somewhat. Good luck and best wishes.
First I have the biggest med fear ever and now find myself on a cocktail of meds
Years ago I was advised to go on statins yet I ignored the advice and ended up having 3 heart attacks and a triple Bypass
Now I often wonder had I took the advice and took the statins would my arteries have got blocked and would I have found myself in this situation
I suppose I will never know exactly but I wished I had taken them all the same
They will not harm you and I would give them a go these could prevent further problems and therefore would be worth it
Aspirin years ago was the only drug as a painkiller that was about sofor years people have been taking them , again they will not harm you but protect your heart by keeping your blood thinner and helping blood to flow through your arteries to your heart so in that case they have to be worth taking they are helping to protect you
I again would give them ago so many of us take them and we are ok
The Angiogram well I was petrified , I suffer with severe anxiety and the first one they tried they did have to cancel I was in such a state
But the next one I did it and I could have kicked myself for been in such a state over the first one as for someone full of fear it was not bad at all
They know what they are doing they do it every day
Let them know you are anxious and they will give you something to calm you down
With the slight risk of something going wrong having a tooth pulled comes with a slight risk but if we have toothache we will get it pulled and think nothing of it
This is a slight risk and as I had already had 3 heart attacks by the time I got round to having one it did not cause me to have another one but got to the root of the problem and had they not I might not be replying to you now so I think the benefits outweigh that few percent
It is the fear of the unknown that stands in our way , makes everything feel so much worse yet once we take that leap and do what is advised we look back and think why did I get myself in such a state !
I would hate anyone to be as silly as I was and not take the meds recommended , put of having an Angiogram when needed and then go through what I did
Everyone will support you , there is a whole Community that will see you through this and at least you will know if anything needs doing which has to be better than waiting for something to possibly go wrong
As the above reply...I was advised to take statins years ago as my cholesterol was high and I was considered at risk . Thought they may do me some harm, so declined them. Last year it was discovered I had a narrowing in LAD which was diagnosed with angiogram and treated with angioplasty. I have wondered if I had taken the statins years ago then this may not have happened?I now take 40mg Atorvastatin daily and a 75mg Asprin (taken after a good breakfast to line my tummy) also take Pantoprozole which is also a tummy protector.
No side effects at all and to be honest I feel safer now that I’m on them to protect my heart.
Please don’t worry about angiogram...I was petrified, but with sedation it is over in a flash and all I experienced was a slight dull ache in chest at the time but no pain.
Yes just before bed...incidentally I was on meds for BP only for years, but was advised a statin originally as had a Dad who had bypass at 60, so my risk of developing heart problems was thought to be greater than average. Statins do lower cholesterol if needed ...but also reduce inflammation that can lead to HD, so not always just about lowering cholesterol. You hear lots of bad things about statins so some of us expect a bad reaction when we take them, in my case that has not been so. Good luck whatever you decide to do x
Having an angiogram is what they term the gold standard and will give your cardiologist the best data to help him or her decide the best form of treatment.
Ok it is invasive but to get the information it’s worth it. The angiogram itself is fine I say it’s like being on the deck of the Star Ship Enterprise! Lots of tv monitors and my cardiologist in what to me looked like a space suit! But then again I had had a lovely sedative so everything was lovely 😂 try not to worry I know easier said than done but really it’s ok.
Why are you reluctant to take the medication you have been prescribed?
I’m reluctant as the consultant hasn’t even examined me or seen me. I’m on amoldipine 10mg for blood pressure which is under control . My cholesterol was checked & it is ok. My GP referred me to the cardiologist but we on,y spoke on phone, my symptoms were. Fatigue & heaviness on chest sometimes. I think it’s anxiety. However it’s better to get checked. I have to wait till round about February for angiogram. Thank you for replying.
Hi Loucie, You don't mention your age which may be the reason for your reluctance to go for the recommendations? My history is of heart issues on either side of the family, particularly my father, dead at 47, and his brother, at 57. I have no other risk factors for coronary disease. I eat well, am active, play sports, do gym, walk around 25 miles a week, perfect weight, etc. When I was in my 40s, my GP told me I should take statins because of my genetics, so I did, but not for long. They drove me nuts with muscular pain and feeling dire, so I stopped them. I guess I could have asked to try a different type, but anyway, I didn't. I figured that if they made me feel so bad, I'd take my chances without.
Over 20 years later (long story very short), I was admitted to hospital as an emergency having suffered a STEMI heart attack via a blockage of the right coronary artery. I was successfully thrombolysed, but I live in a remote location, so it was 3 days later that I was transferred by air ambulance to a major heart centre.
There, I had an angiogram for the first time. I watched the whole process on a screen as the probe traversed the coronary arteries surveying the amount of disease in each. I also watched as the surgeon placed and fitted a stent to revascularise the right coronary artery and remove that narrow site to avoid a future blockage. I can tell you it was absolutely fascinating viewing and better than any telly hospital documentary! I didn't feel a thing in my chest, only awe at the procedure I was undergoing. My only complaint was that where the probe entered my arm was really, really sore the whole time. I apologised for my fidgeting and explained that he was murdering my arm. "Don't apologise." he replied calmly. "But don't fidget either, because all the kit that's in your heart right now is going through that arm." So that certainly made me keep still!
The above was my first experience of angiogram/angioplasty. I am now the veteran of more angiograms (I asked them to put a bit more numbing agent on the arm and it was fine!) and open heart surgery among other things, and the first thing you learn is that these folks are total experts, complete professionals and they are doing this all the time. They care a lot about their patient outcomes. The second thing you learn is that there is nothing special about you, because they are doing these procedures with multiple cath labs and operating theatres side by side going simultaneously 24/7. They are like modern mass production factories.
As for tablets, I'm now on all of them, even the damned statins and the aspirin. Yes, I feel odd sometimes. That's actually why I've joined this group to see if anyone else reports similar. But on the other hand I'm still breathing, and after open heart surgery 8 months ago and a few months recuperation, I can still win badminton games against folks 20 years younger than me which makes me feel even better.
Go for it, and don't worry. I can honestly say I've never lost a moment's sleep over any procedure I've been sent for. I just tell myself that whatever it is will help me with the condition that IS costing me sleep or might put me to sleep for good. Good luck!
I’m 59.I’ve been on blood pressure tablets for years. I have had two kinds of heart scans in 2019. They were fine. So they put it down to chronic fatigue . Got referred again as still” fatigued & heaviness on chest but no pain. But I guess I will get it done just to make sure. Thanks
I am 45yrs old. In September 2021 I saw a Cardiologist for chest pain like you. Due to family history he referred me for a CT Angiogram. I was so frightened of being possibly allergic to the contrast dye, I chickened out first time. Bless them they had to rearrange for me to go again. I managed to pluck up Dutch courage second time around.
Assumed I’d be told there is a bit of plaque buildup but no need for further treatment.
Nope instead they reported seeing ‘Narrowing of my Arteries’ PLURAL!
That I’d need to start daily aspirin and statins and I’d need an invasive angiogram!
I panicked!
I googled it, youtube’d it, joined this forum, I tried reassuring myself, I’d then panic about it.
I truly couldn’t get my head around two things;
1. That this was really happening to me and I’m going to have to lie on a table whilst they do things to my heart’s arteries.
2. That the procedure is NOT painful.
Couldn’t get my head around these! Oh and also bought myself (treated myself) to a new pair of pj’s and slippers in case something did happen to me!
I can be the biggest baby and on that day of my angiogram, I got in there. Scared but resigned to the fact it hade to be done. The procedure itself was not painful. I honestly couldn’t believe it! They found a 90% blockage in my LAD artery and placed a stent. When they inflated the balloon before the stent, had chest discomfort for five seconds but it felt manageable.
Trust me, you’ll leave there thinking to yourself “that was so much easier than I thought it was going to be”.
Good luck, you’ve got this!
I had an angiogram and despite some reservations found it interesting watching the dye tests on a screen. I was sedated at the time (with Medazolam I think) and didn’t feel a thing. The team were very professional and put me at ease by describing what they were doing and chatting (even had music on in the background). Recovery was a doddle. Try not to be too concerned about the procedure. Hope everything works out for you.
Hi Loucie, my hubby had an angiogram last year, he was a little apprehensive but he had an amazing team that did it for him, he was able to watch the monitors and found the whole thing extremely interesting. Until I couldn't go, 'covid', I always went with him to his echocardiogram appointments and I found those really interesting to watch too.
The angiogram will give your consultant a clear picture of exactly is going on and they'll then able to be able to see what treatment is necessary. Hubby was on aspirin but declined the statins, after some research.
I take statins and aspirin. No problems. Angiogram risk is tiny. Glad I had mine done because they found a damaged blood vessel and put a stent in. It resolved the “heart burn” I’d had for years. Something called rheumatoid vasculitis apparently.
Hi the Lancet and BHF are questioning efficacy of Statin for over 75 s with no vascular disease. I had an angiogram with no problems.My husband had an angiogram, arrested during the procedure and died. Risks in everything !
I have had 5 angiograms 2 with angioplasty over the last 6 years with a total of 7 stents fitted. Found the procedure very straight forward, worst part for me was keeping absolutely still. All the very best to you. 🙂
loucie Please don't be frightened, an angiogram is quite straightforward and you feel no pain, admittedly, you feel uncomfortable but no more than that. The important points are, it is now a daily occurrence for hospitals and they have it organised very well, and they are very aware of your apprehension and put you at ease. As all who have had one on this site say "it is now a well oiled machine" so try not to worry.
Hi, I had a angiogram through my wrist and like you was very worried about the risks. However I actually found it very interesting to watch on the big screen as they were carrying it out and was completely reassured by the cardiologist and cath lab staff. I know its hard but try not to worry. I had no pain or issues whatsoever. Good luck.
I think most on here have had angiograms. A complete doddle if done through the wrist which is the usual way. (It can be through the groin) I'd had a small heart attack so I had no choice. I needed 2 stents fitting. Sure there's a tiny risk, same as you could get hit by a bus next time you go out. You are given medicine to thin your blood and a sedative. They fit a canula in your wrist and you lie on a hard trolley. I didn't feel a thing. There are lots of screens if you want to watch but you don't have to. I was cross that they wouldn't let me see the screens. Afterwards you are taken to a recovery ward and a pressure bandage is put on your wrist. Once any bleeding has stopped, that's removed; cup of tea and toast and you can go home. I went in for 9am and was home at 1pm. Bruising is likely although for my second one I didn't even have a pin prick bruise. First one my arm was purple up to the elbow but it doesn't hurt. One other bit of advice- stop googling!
I had an angiogram 3 days before Xmas - no problems! No driving for 3 days (went in through my wrist), groin entry I think its 7days no driving. I didnt lift anything heavy for a week, bruising gone after a fortnight - cant see where the entry wound is now. Feeling fine apart from very occassional tweaking pains that go as soon as they arrive. Its the 3rd one Ive had over the last 25yrs. It came out that I have fairly clear arteries (nice Xmas present). They aren't my favourite procedures but they are OK and over in around 30-40mins including prep time. They dose you well with anti clotting drugs before and during the procedure and monitor your heart throughout so if there are problems they will be on them instantly. You need to remember that emergency cases are regularly rushed in for angiograms who may have/be having heart attacks, suffering heart failure or have been involved in a traffic accident which may account for some of the least pleasant statistical outcomes. I think the angiogram is one of the most useful diagnostic procedures according to cardiologists so its probably worth getting it done. Re statins - I cant get away with them at all they leave me exhausted, achey and feeling very odd. I know some people report having no major side effects at all with them. Asprin never caused me problems (i used dispersable ones to lessen stomach impact).
I think there is always an increased chance of stroke or heart attack with coronary procedures possibly as they are carried out on heart patients. Wether they cause the issues or just make them occur earlier by knocking off an existing coronary plaque that would cause problems eventually who knows. If you get your angiogram in a decent hospital they can usually put stents in at the same time if needed so its always worth checking as you dont want an angiogram that finds you need stents and then to be sent elswhere for another angiogram/angioplasty! Best of luck with it all.
Hello louche. Yes I had one on the 21st December 2021. I was pretty nervous mostly because I was worried of what they would find and what treatment I would need.Particularly lovely staff carrying out the procedure and it was all over in about 45 mins. Didn’t feel a thing. Letter 10 days letter informing me there was no calcification and clear arteries. 😓.
I have never heard for stroke/HA with angiogram. You will be fine I’m sure.
If he has offered you an angiogram then I would take him up on it. My husband was having major problems last year and eventually got offered a chest scan and angiogram it turned out he needed stents. I think the benefits outweigh the risks.
Just had my Open Heart Surgery about 72 hours ago. For now all good and slowly recovery. I should go back home on 17th.
I also had to do an angiogram but for me like you 1-2% risk plus operation risk was very big risks. After researching I found that they can also do a second type of angiogram also called heart scan. It is not done via catheter so it is not invasive and there are not risk of dead involved. However is not covered at least here. It costed me about 200 pounds. However consider I m not in Uk so the price over there could be way different... Not sure.
Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.
Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.
Angiogram 
Angiogram 
Angiogram
Angiogram on a +-
Angiogram 
