Angiogram.

[GardeningFlowers]

Hi everyone 😊. Had a break from posting as I have been waiting for the above procedure. Apparently I have been lost in the system 🤔. I have not been good recently and quite stressed with all the waiting. I am absolutely terrified of the procedure which is on 4th July. I really want this over with and know that I need it but scarred stiff. Any advice gratefully received ♥️

[080311]

Hello GardeningFlowers,

Angiogram is the gold standard for diagnosis, it is invasive but it really does give our cardiologist the whole picture.

I was in hospital when I had mine and the gave me a sedative! What ever it was made me feel if my cardiologist had said we are now going to take you head off I would have thought what a great idea! There were lots of TV screens had the look of the deck of the Star Ship Enterprise! I was in hospital for 7 weeks before I was transferred to the heart hospital for my surgery so saw my cardiologist most days, so as he was doing the procedure he was given me a running commentary on what he was seeing and telling me to look at the screen and my heart!

I can understand how anxious you are, but it’s ok they went in through my wrist so afterwards I had a pressure band on with a little window over where they went in. Had a bit of a bruise but nothing really.

Once you have it done and they have all the readings you will on the way to getting a mended heart.

Wishing you really well

Pauline

[Hidden in reply to 080311]

Do you know what the sedative was? About 5 years ago I had a hospital procedure (not heart related) and was given Midazolam. It had not discernible effect whatsoever.

[080311 in reply to Hidden]

Sorry have no idea, whatever it was it certainly did the trick for me. Maybe explain that the last sedative you had didn’t do it’s job and could they try something different.

Pauline

[Heather1957 in reply to Hidden]

I had an angiogram in 2017 it went fine but I had 2 stents fitted last October but I needed the arteries drilled first which I found sooooo unpleasant. They pumped me up with fentanyl through the cannula, it is a strong sedative and boy I needed it!!

[Hidden]

Hello

When I say I am the most anxious person maybe ever that was I am telling the truth

I had my first heart attack and they took me to have an angiogram

I was so bad they refused to do it as they told my husband the state I was in that it would be to dangerous

I went onto have another heart attack and so at this stage one really needed to be done

They did talk me through it and that helped such a lot

When you get there tell the Nurses how anxious you are they are so reassuring

Two things that do not harm you but good to know is the room is a little cold but that is how it has to be and the second thing is part way through they put a dye in which makes you feel like you might have wet yourself they will tell you this but trust me you won't have and that sensation last a few seconds

I had mine through my wrist they can do it through the groin to if one seems better for you then I would ask if that is what they could do but either way I am sure it is all much the same

I also had a sedative so ask for one if not offered and you feel it will help

The Nurses kept talking to me and I looked away

I felt like something was tugging on my wrist but it did not hurt at all just a tugging sensation and then eventually when they put the dye in that warm sensation for a couple of seconds

Before I knew it they were saying that is it all done

They took me in the resting bay , they kept letting the pressure out the wristband where I had the smallest incision I have had bigger scratches than there was there , kept checking my blood pressure , cup of tea and a biscuit and next minute they were saying you can go now

I felt stupid to be honest that I had gone of so bad when they tried that first time yet it was so simple and if I am saying this then it cannot be bad at all as I will freak out at most things

So please do not worry it will be fine and remember having this done can give them that clear picture they need to see how your heart is working and if anything needs doing they can put it right

I can be accused of waffling but that is just me so I am sorry if I have waffled but I hope my waffling may have reassured you not to be afraid

Please let us know how you get on x

[shopman]

You have some good replies from both 080311 & BeKind28. I am due another angiogram on 6 July but not sure whether it will go ahead as have had a nasty chest infection for the last 2 weeks or so. This will be my 6th or is it 8th procedure since my first back in 1998. You are really well looked after in the cath lab even if it is a little chilly. There is always someone asking how you are. As the others have said if you are anxious then tell them and am sure they can give some sedation. If you can I wwould strongly recommend asking to see the procedure as it happens as it does give you a good idea of what is going on, and yes they will answer any questions you may have.

I would say that the point of entry will have a bearing on how you get over it. Going through the groin takes a longer recovery period as you have to lay very still on your back for several hours. If done via a small nick in your wrist you will have a pressure cuff fitted which will be reduced over a period of time until clear, at least you can move around a bit with this one.

Everything being good you should be able to go home later the same day and as long as you do as you are told should be fully back on your feet very quickly. It may be you are advised not to drive for a week or so and you may also have an adjustment to your medication.

[RufusScamp]

I was scared stiff, but given a sedative, and it all went ok. The staff told me as much or as little as I wanted to know about what was going on. It is not a complete picnic, but not too bad as say root canal work. It really does give a good picture of what is going on, so well worth it.We all wish you the best; let us know how it goes.

[Leonardo1]

Hi when everyone says it’s ok - it’s so hard to believe but I was like you totally freaked by all the procedures and operations when I was diagnosed - really freaked . 6 months down the road I’ve had angiogram x 2 Toe x2 echos endoscopy colonoscopy and open heart surgery and I feel fantastic !!! Try to not focus on the actual procedure it will blow your mind !!! these people are incredible brilliant and skilled they will look after you !!!

Focus on feeling fantastic and being fixed !!!! And living a much fuller life . It’s truthfully nothing as bad as you are imagining!! Don’t go down that rabbit hole try to look to your healthy future !! Close your eyes and think wonderful healthy thoughts and you will get through it .

Good luck snd remember the beat goes on !!! ❤️

[Putterguy]

Hi GF, I can only agree with all the replies you have had. I too was extremely anxious about the procedure. I spoke to the Dr as I was wheeled in for the procedure and told him how anxious I was and could he kale me through what he was doing. Clearly he understood how we feel so told me what was happening throughout but must have been on a delay as he sort of got to the point where he was saying right now just have to insert this, then broke off and said yes no issues all done, and that was literally that done. As they Don’t Panic, I never felt a thing, it really is nothing to worry about. Looking at my wrist now I’ve had bigger scratches from doing the garden. The benefit once they can see what their dealing with makes the treatment a lot more focused and beneficial. Luckily in my case no furring to be concerned about, especially for a lad of 67 years.

[Molben]

Had one 10 years ago following a heart attack, had to be stented. I was so frightened but I knew it had to be done. I feel for you because these things make me so nervous but saying this it was ok. I can't say I enjoyed it, not because it hurt just that it was being done but that is me. I had sedation which helps. Mine was done through my wrist, you can't even see the scar now. I have gone on and had another 4 different Cardiac procedures now. The stress always comes to the fore but you will get there. Remember have sedation, have a plan of the nice things you are going to try and think about and before you know it, it will be done and you will be drinking a cup of tea. As others say it is a very good diagnostic procedure and will help your further treatment.

[Davey77]

I said to the doctor while signing the form that it's against my religion because I'm a Devout Coward! He said said most people are scared and he would give me a mild sedative so I was awake but less anxious. In the end I didn't notice the invasive elements. The thing I noticed most was that the table moved around a lot. Seasickness was more of a danger

[Qualipop]

Please don't worry. IT's really very easy. You will be offered sedation. I didn't feel a thing apart from the needle first going into my wrist. I was aware of what was happening but my only concern was that they wouldn't let me watch the monitors. I had two, one immediately after a heart attack and one a few weeks later. Mine took about 20 to 30 minutes but it felt quicker. Then back into a recovery ward with a pressure bandage on your wrist until any possible bleeding stops, a very welcome cup of tea and toast. Mine was done at about 9am and I was back home an hour away by 1pm. Remember those doctors are doing these day after day after day.

[Thecyclist]

Try not to overthink it, easy to say I know but I promise you it is no where near as bad as your mind is making out. Just take it as it comes and you will be done and dusted before you know it.

Out of all of the potential outcomes of this procedure, from "it's a breeze and I will be absolutely fine" to "I might die mid procedure because of XYZ or the prognosis will be terminal".

Isn't it funny that your mind chooses to go for the latter? When in reality if you look at the statistics and the real life experiences of all of us here, the former outcome is 99% more likely is the case. Our unconscious mind is hard wired to protect us (think of our Stone Age ancestors, whose main priority was simply survival), fight or flight is an in built protection we frankly rarely need, but it is there, so naturally we believe the worst case to be the likely outcome, when nearly always the best case is the more likely outcome.

Also if you are having this procedure the doctors will have the most detailed information on your heart and can treat you accordingly. Many people don't get this chance until it's too late or even at all.

Finally the consultant that did mine, was such a top doctor, when I went to sign the disclaimer and he explained the obligatory risks, he said I've done over 15,000 of these, all over the world, only twice I have had a problem with patient's, please relax it will be over before you know it, and you know what it was, I was in at 8am and was home by midday. I'd had worse visits to the dentist.

[Hidden]

I have one on Thursday and I'm not looking forward to it. There are lots of videos on YouTube of the procedure which I have been watching to familiarise myself with what's going to happen. Whether you would find these helpful or alarming would depend on personal psychology, so I'm not recommending them, but just pointing out something which *might* help. I would say that now I have a fairly good idea of the different stages of the procedure so it's a bit demystified. The procedure looks a bit like a slimmed down version of an ablation.

[Masters69]

Hi I had my angiogram yesterday nothing to worry about just scratch when they put catheter in and warm feeling for few seconds when they put the dye. I did have light headache for about 30/45 mins after the procedure very light bruising on the wrist.