Can I drive home after an angiogram ?

[bizzy55]

I will be getting an angiogram next week including cardiac catheterization. The hospital is 50 miles from home with no direct public transport links. If I take my car, would I be fit to drive home afterwards ?

[Hidden]

Hello

I would say no

I am sure the Hospital should have said to have someone with you to take you home or arrange transport

I think you would be risking it and would try and sort something out

You could try phoning the Hospital and explaining your situation sometimes they can book you in with their transport they sometimes have worth a try

Hope everything goes well with your angiogram and good luck x

[bizzy55]

Thanks very much. I'm going for an angiogram x-ray scan, not an angioplasty. Is that allowed?

[CaliGuy7 in reply to bizzy55]

Hello, yes, it is allowed. When you go in for any medical procedure, you sign a form allowing any medically necessary work needed if it is of urgent need. Now, they could very well see the need for work that isn't of an urgent need, thus not performing the work, but they generally will inform you of the need afterwards and you can make a decision to get the work done. But that also is based upon a collaboration between you and the doctors, or whether or not the doctors believe that it is in your best interest or will be too risky, or money, which typically takes priority in medical care.

[Hidden]

Hello

I just picked any NHS as they are all the same but this link tells you the do's and don't after an angiogram

Hope it might help x

mkuh.nhs.uk/patient-informa...

[bizzy55]

BTW I had a CT heart scan a few months ago which was similar - injection of dye followed by X rays. I was 100% fine afterwards.

The only difference next week seems to be the insertion of the catheter via the wrist to send the dye directly to the heart. So there will be a wound. Is that likely to impede driving?

[bizzy55]

Thanks. The letter says it's an "examination". Can they go ahead and treat without giving me time to consider?

[MichaelJH Heart Star]

No, no and trice no!

As opposed to an angioplasty where as Hidden said it is one week after an angiogram it is 48 hours. Besides the risk of the wound opening (they may have to go via the groin if there is an issue via the wrist) these is also a risk (minute) of a clot as things have been disturbed. If caught driving besides a fine you could get a year ban or longer. It is not worth the risk and is just plain stupid!

[MichaelJH Heart Star in reply to MichaelJH]

Here's a guide from the Royal Free that states 48 hours:

royalfree.nhs.uk/services/s...

Via the groin I was told 3 days (72 hours).

[Heather1957]

I would have said no but decided to Google confirmation and this is what it says:

You should not drive for 48 hours after an angiogram. If you have a stent put in you should not drive for one week. This will be discussed by the cardiac rehab nurse. You should avoid exercise for the first few days while the puncture site heals completely.

[Thecyclist]

I definitely wouldn't for one you'll be feeling a bit jaded afterwards, I know I was and I didn't have any sedation. It is an invasive procedure and not just an x ray, secondly, the wound (assuming wrist) is very delicate in terms of clotting at that stage, a small accident or the need to tug on the steering wheel or other part of the car could easily open the incision again, and as its an artery you won't be stopping it with a plaster. I was told no driving for at least 48 hours as the incision could easily open up.

I had mine earlier this year and I just wanted to chill for the day and the next day afterwards, mine went like clockwork but still took the wind out of my sails for a good 24 hrs.

Don't risk it, I'm sure some a kind hearted friends will help?

[bizzy55 in reply to Thecyclist]

How long did it take to heal?

[Thecyclist in reply to bizzy55]

I’d say it was a few days before I felt the incision point was safe and fully sealed, but in terms of getting it back to how it was before angiogram, a good few months. I couldn’t put any weight on my wrist for a while. That was a surprise as I normally heal pretty quickly but it took ages, I had a lump there as well for a bit. All normal now and you wouldn’t know and it didn’t cause me any long term problems. However don’t underestimate this procedure, it’s quick but having a catheter shoved up your arm and into your heart and some contrast dye injected is not to be sniffed at. Take it easy is my advice. Good luck with it, it will be fine and gives great peace of mind as it’s the gold standard in terms of diagnosis.

[ChoochSiesta]

The hospital funded a taxi for mine but that was in covid times.

[AlfredV]

I felt really ill after my angiogram/plasty for the best part of a week, however I believe this was due to an underlying health condition and a possible reaction to the contrast dye.

That said, during my angiogram, I was so relaxed it was beyond belief. I chatted with the surgeon while he operated. This went on for 45 minutes. I suspect they gave me some sort of relaxant, despite not speaking to me about it, which also would have placed me in a poor condition to drive. I also had significant swelling and bruising in my arm, beyond what was expected, facilitating a few days in hospital under observation before being released.

I'd say best not to risk it.

[Hidden]

Hi , I can understand your wish to drive 🚗 yourself home particularly when public transport isn't available. That's the way I felt last February. At 72 I felt super fit and had never suffered any after effects following medical procedures. Thank God my wife put her foot down told me in no uncertain terms that I would not be driving anywhere after my Angiogram. I arrived at the Cardio ward at 11am I left at 6pm. That's 7 hours and I was third down. You may suffer vision problems as I did following the procedure this is were the dye they inject into you interacts with the brain this wears off in time but is very disconcerting. I also began to shiver uncontrollably on walking back to my bed on the ward. It then took at least an hour for the pressure band that they put around the wound to be gradually deflated all the time monitoring the wound to ensure its stopped bleeding. An Angiogram is a serious procedure and if my experience is anything to go by try and find some way you can get yourself there back without recourse to driving yourself. Best regards, Denis

[Hidden]

When I had my angiogram the chaps waiting with me who had the procedure before told me if you are on the table for an hour or more you are having stents,so I kept looking at the clock on the wall.They finished in 22 minutes.They wheeled me out and I thought he was going to say p--s off home and stop wasting our time.He said all 5 arteries are blocked you need an urgent bypass.I asked what is the alternative he said you won't make it to the car park.So I wouldn't bother driving yourself in case they keep you in,then you will have a hefty charge for parking your car as well.Good luck

[Hidden]

You should be having an assessment interview with your angiogram team sometime before your procedure during which you will be checked out and this will include what you should be doing before the procedure and subsequently. This will certainly cover stopping medication like aspirin and driving. As others have said it is usual to instruct patients not to drive for at least 48 hours following an angiogram or more depending on what you have done. If you do drive post procedure you may invalidate your motor insurance and may be committing an offence, let alone any hazard you may creating for yourself and other road users. Finally if you are unable to get someone to collect you after your procedure and public transport is not viable you could talk to the hospital PALS team to see if they have any suggestions for ways of getting you home.

[Qualipop]

NO. They usually give you a sedative and tell you not to drive that day.

[XmasEve24]

A definite no. My first was on my wrist and I ended up having an emergency double by pass the next day. My second was in my groin and was unbelievably painful and became infected. Couldn’t stand up straight and ended up in A&E 5 days later to be put on antibiotics. I think they told me not to drive for five days. Also they won’t let you home alone. Best give your hospital a call and confirm. But at the end of the day it’s an invasive procedure on your heart. Good luck 😋