Being referred for an angiogram and anxious

[IamAli_R]

Hello, everyone.

I hope you are all well.

As some of you are aware, I am currently going through cardiac investigations.

See below for details of my history:

healthunlocked.com/bhf/post....

I posted the results of my recent Myocardial Perfusion Scan in the post below:

healthunlocked.com/bhf/post...

I had a telephone consultation with my cardiologist this morning, and I was hoping to be discharged with a clean bill of health. However, my cardiologist said that with atypical chest pain, the findings of the Calcium Score in 2018, and the findings from my Myocardial Perfusion Scan, he is referring me for a Angiogram.

He said that because the Myocardial Perfusion Scan has a sensitivity of 85%, the Calcium Score, and the chest pain they can't be sure that there isn't any significant narrowing.

He said that the ECG from my failed attempt at an exercise test and the 24-hour ECG has picked up SVT. There was also the finding of possible atrial flutter.

I know there is likely to be a wait of at least 3 months for the angiogram.

I now feel like I am back to square one, and I am already feeling anxious about the wait for the angiogram. I am once again feeling like I'm going to have a cardiac event while waiting for the angiogram and feel like my life is on hold again.

It once again seems that I have multiple cardiac issues.

I would appreciate any advice on how to deal with the long wait for an angiogram.

I would love to hear people's experiences of angiograms if possible.

I am feeling really anxious and so would appreciate any words of encouragement.

Ali

[Dunandjam]

Hi IamAli.

I had an angiogram a couple of weeks ago and I felt exactly the same as you are feeling! It is how most of us feel I think stepping into the unknown!

It was fine and I wouldn’t be worried about having another one.

The room it was carried out in was quite chilly and I was unable to see the screen which was huge as there was an xray arm in the way. I can honestly say it was painless, just a bit of discomfort when he put the dye in as it felt warm.

It’s awful too having to wait so long but the state of the NHS is dire at the moment.

I wish you well and look forward to hearing how you get on.

[IamAli_R in reply to Dunandjam]

Hello Dunandjam,

Thank you for the reassuring reply. I know deep down that it should be fine, but as you say, the fear of the unknown isn't easy to deal with. It doesn't help that worrying is what I do best.

I hope your angiogram has given you much needed clarity and you are receiving appropriate treatment.

Yes, the NHS waiting lists are no fun at all.

Thank you, and I will provide updates.

[Etzel]

Wait wise I like to think that the consultant will have weighed up the risks and decided that you are OK for a routine appt. The fact they are using the words 'can't be sure' & 'possible' may mean he is just covering all bases.

I've had 2 angiograms and have to say the current through the wrist version is so much better than the groin one they used to do. During my last one the surgeon said to me it's lucky you don't need a stent, you have extra large veins and we have to special order those!

[IamAli_R in reply to Etzel]

Hello Etzel,

Hope you are well.

Yes, you are right. I am sure the consultant weighed up risk before deciding the type of referral for angiogram. I will keep that in mind while waiting for my appointment.

Yes, I agree that it's a positive he used words like "can't be sure," etc.

I'm glad your angiograms went well and you didn't need stents. I've not heard of extra large veins, so just as well, you didn't need stents.

How long did you have to wait for the results of the angiogram?

[Hidden]

I have had two angiograms. One as an inpatient five years ago, and one as an outpatient last year. For the outpatient appointment you will likely receive a pre-procedure assessment a few days before the angiogram. On the day you will sign the consent form then off to the angiography suite where the procedure takes place. Both of my procedures were through the wrist. You will be slightly sedated. The whole thing takes about 30 mins if you are not stented as I was. Stenting will take longer. Off to 'recovery' and be monitored for two or three hours, during which the cardiologist will come and visit and tell you what they have found. Then discharge, with a dressing, which you remove yourself a day (or two? later You will need someone to keep an eye on you for 24 hours and will not be allowed to drive home. You will need to check about driving because it varies according to what you have done, starting with 24 hours no driving for no stenting. You may be sore for a few days after but nothing major. All in all very routine and certainly nothing to be concerned about as far as I am concerned. Hope this helps.

[IamAli_R in reply to Hidden]

Hello LowerField,

Hope you are well.

Thank you very much for such a detailed answer.

It really helps reading other people's experiences and helps with the anxiety and feelings of stepping into the unknown.

I hope to be more than "a little sedated."

It's great knowing that the cardiologist will discuss the results on the day.

[MrsSuzuki]

I had to wait a week for my angiogram and stent as I had my heart attack on 23 December 2021. They obviously thought it wasn't urgent, and due to the Christmas holidays I didn't have my angiogram until the 30 December.

I was getting quite anxious after a week as you can imagine, but I saw people on the ward who had had emergency angiograms and stents fitted and they said it was ok. I was about an hour having the angiogram and stent fitted, I had no pain at all. Nothing to worry about.

The bruising I had a couple of days later up my arm looked horrendous where the surgeon went in through the wrist, but it didn't hurt at all, just a slight bit of pressure during the op.

Hope this reassures you.

Lily

[IamAli_R]

Hello Lilly,

Hope you are well

Wow, waiting for a week for an angiogram after a heart attack sounds like a long time. I don't think I would have been able to cope.

My cardiologist told me that I'm likely to be waiting 3 months for an angiogram, and that is making me nervous.

The uncertainty while waiting won't do my mental health any good at all.

I'm not overly anxious about the actual procedure after reading your and others' experiences on angiograms.

I hope you are doing well since your heart attack and have not had any further issues.

Ali

[MrsSuzuki in reply to IamAli_R]

I'm not doing too badly but recently I've been diagnosed with AF which seems to have been an unwanted progression from my heart attack.Thanks for asking though.

Lily

[IamAli_R in reply to MrsSuzuki]

Hello Lily,

I'm glad to hear you are doing ok. I'm sorry to hear about the AF. How is your AF being managed?

Ali

[MrsSuzuki in reply to IamAli_R]

They put me on an anticoagulant called Edoxaban. Seem to be ok on it apart from starting to get some joint pain. It's always a trade -off with tablets though; not happy taking them but frightened not to 🙁.

Lily