I'm booked in for a coronary angiogram on Tuesday and, as usual with me, worrying my socks off about it! I think I'd like to watch what's going on, I hate pain with a vengeance and at the moment sleep is not my best of friends. Many of you will have gone through this procedure but can anyone tell me how to keep rising panic down? Thanks.
Angiogram on Tuesday: I'm booked in for... - British Heart Fou...
Angiogram on Tuesday
Written by
Gillph
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
59 Replies
•
There are similar posts to yours that appear on here from time to time. In my view the overall experience is that there is nothing to worry about, and that I can vouch for having undergone two angiograms. Whilst there are undoubtedly some risks, as for any intrusive procedure, you are in the hands of experienced health professionals many of whom carry out this procedure on a day to day basis on many 'customers' and basically know what they are doing.
Thank you
The initial entry is a surprise, but there after it’s just uncomfortable. Be apprehensive but don’t be worried 👍 I would arrange a lift/collection rather than drive home after as I felt wiped out after.
Thanks as I have arranged a lift and overnight. Roll on Wednesday!
In addition to the wisdom of not driving from the hospital after you are discharged (my cardio team insisted I was picked up from the ward by someone and certainly not leave on my own and drive home) be aware that if you are stented during the procedure you are not allowed to drive for seven days after the procedure under DVLA rules.
I had 2 in 2 months. It's fine. Not painful at all. All over before you know it. Back to normal in day or two. Just to remember it's a very very common procedure
Almost getting to the stage of looking forward to it! Not.
Hope it all goes well take care
Tell your cardiologist that you are nervous and they will give you something to relax you during the procedure. Once they had given me something I didn’t feel a thing.
I had something to relax me when I had mine. I was aware of what was happening & It was slightly uncomfortable but not painful. Tell them how you feel & they'll look after you
Hi Gillph, just my experience from March but may help. Staff were brilliant. Procedure didn't hurt at all. Be aware that when you enter the theatre there will be quite a few people there. A little bruising afterwards in my arm as they used the radial artery in my wrist. Fascinating experience. Hope that helps.
I’m pretty sure I’m going to watch it happening as it’s so extremely clever. Thank you
I watched both of mine and found it fascinating but obviously that's not to everyone's taste. They actually asked me if I wanted sedation and I said no. Personally I would say that the initial point of entry was slightly uncomfortable but after that I didn't feel a thing and the staff were amazing. You will be in fantastic hands so try not to worry but don't be frightened to ask for sedation if you really feel you need it. Take care xx
thank you
You will be fine 👍xx
I think I will be. What a wonderful platform this is for soothing nerves!
It is...people on here can give good sound advice when they have experienced the things people post about. I found it invaluable when I was due for my OHS and after xx
I wanted to watch both of mine after a heart attack but they wouldn't let me. I was sedated. The worst part was fitting the cannula in my wrist. After that I felt nothing at all. You have a pressure bandage fitted where the cannula was which is released very slowly. One of mine was done too soon so I had a massive bruise from wrist to elbow. I was first into the cath lab and home for lunch. Just had to wait for the sedative to wear off - helped by tea and toast. Oddly I didn't bother about the one right after the heart attack but when I went back a month or so later for the second one I was a gibbering wreck. The nurses were great and said that was a very common reaction.
HiI had this 6 years ago and at the end, I was told that, in the middle of the procedure, they heard a strange noise. Apparently, I was gently snoring for a few minutes. And I thought I had been sort of conscious the whole time!
You'll be fine, just breath deeply and think of a happy place.
Henry
Hi my personal experience was I didn’t feel a thing and felt very calm. I watched it on the screen when I could see without obstruction, I did opt for sedation so that probably helped a good deal. I had a tiny pin prick mark on my wrist afterwards which you could barely see and was soon back on the ward enjoying a nice lunch.
The staff were amazing and really good at making you feel relaxed and calm. I wish you well and hope your experience is the same as mine and many others good luck 🍀🍀😊🌞X
Thank you and all of the replies have been so positive that I now consider myself quite a wimp for worrying so much!!
Not a wimp at all it’s not knowing what to expect. Good to hear you are reassured. Hope all goes well X.
Had mine through the femoral artery in my groin. Slightly uncomfortable to begin with but that was all. Only thing that really bothered me was the room was very cold. Incision healed quickly. HTH
👍👍
I agree the cath lab was freezing . My teeth were chattering
It’s June so I shall wear thermal underwear as long as I can!
I had mine following a heart attack 3 months ago. I had a stent fitted. You can see everything that’s happening and if there’s a blockage they will show you on the screen. To me it was like looking at a sonogram of a baby. I couldn’t tell what I was looking at 😂 Tell them that you are nervous. They gave me some diazepam which helped. The tube goes in at the wrist and up your arm but you just feel tugging but no pain. My whole procedure from start to finish took 30 minutes. Like someone said before, you won’t be able to drive for 7 days. Mine was a month because I had a HA. You’ll be fine, you’ve got this!
hi
My husband had one recently and was very nervous as when they did it previously he had suffered a cardiac arrest and was in an induced coma.
They did give him some mild sedation and he also finds rescue remedy good for anxiety which he has suffered with on and off since his arrest.
Good luck
Thank you - I hope your husband is doing well now. What a fright for you both!
Thanks. Yes he is doing really well. Other than tablets he is back to normal. Just some occasional anxiety but that is to be expected.
Good luck. You will be fine.
Hello, are you having an angiogram or angioplasty? I was nervous for angiogram, even practiced holding my breath lol. It doesn't hurt & the team was very kind. If you are having a stent that is ok, they sedate you & you just relax....it's too big to worry about. Take care & I wish you a comfortable procedure.
Hi I had one done 20yrs ago and I can hardly remember it. I assume I was nervous at the time, but I got through it. It’s natural to be nervous. These procedures have improved a lot since I had mine. Try and keep yourself busy if you can. Tell yourself at least you will find out what’s going on with your heart at the end of it.
All the best.
hi,
I had this procedure done earlier this year and like you I was getting more anxious the closer the time came. I received lots of support from this forum and came to the conclusion that waiting for the procedure was worse than the procedure itself! It is really interesting to watch and you only feel a few pin pricks to start with. The staff are great and totally put you at ease. Take some deep breaths and try to keep busy to take your mind off things. When it’s all done you’ll be wondering why you got so worked up about it. 😃
You'll be fine. I've had three angiograms, two through the groin and one through the wrist. I was terrified at the thought of it but there was really nothing to worry about. The only discomfort was when they injected the local anaesthetic. It was interesting to watch on the screen. Best wishes .
Thank you so much
I had mine done 9 years ago through my arm I did feel it and told him and he gave m more pain relief and I was good to go. Did see it on screen but really cant remember too much about it. Hope all goes well x
I’ll be so pleased to get to the other side of this!
I had angiogram with stent fitted in January . It’s a very straight forward procedure and doesn’t hurt , plus you can have sedation which kinds of makes you feel you’re not really there . You’ll be fine . Good luck
I had an angiogram through the thigh area no pain what-so-ever. In some cases depending on the person inserting it there can be some bruising after . Good luck
the worst thing is having a catheter in your veins fitted. I’m sure you already had such.
oooerrr! Forewarned is forearmed if you'll pardon the pun.
good luck Tuesday.
I had one years ago and it was a very easy procedure, and they went in through my wrist. I only had to sustain from lifting anything heavy for a week. Was given the same sedation they give for colonoscopies and went home a few hrs later. Not sure if they keep you if a stent needs to be placed.
Hiya, just to say I'm the biggest chicken going, so when I had my cardiac arrest 3 months ago they gave me an angiogram and I was pooping myself.... and I didn't need to be. The only thing that might be a discomfort is when they put the contrast into your vein and my experience was a warm sensation and that's it. No pain, no discomfort and the cath team are amazing and will put your mind at ease
Not what you're looking for?
You may also like...
Angiogram on Friday
I was diagnosed with CHD mid Feb and told I needed an angiogram. I got a phone call today from the...
Update on angiogram
As promised here's my update.Went in this morning and told the nurse i was very anxious about it...
Update on Angiogram
I had my angiogram on Friday morning and I was told that I have a 3rd artery that needs stenting...
Angiogram
Hi my hearties
I had my angiogram on Monday. I know I was a wreck at the thought of it
and I am...
Angiogram
hello
I haven’t posted for a few weeks. Brief outline, I had breathing problems and a tight band...
Angiogram tomorrow
Angiogram on a +-
Failed angiogram 
Angiogram
Angiogram
