Angiogram

[Heartho]

I have been waiting for this since March. I have watched a lot of videos,.and feel I have become obsessed by the whole thing. I am due to have it on Monday. Got sent a leaflet about what's involved, and the risks which didn't help. I have autoimmune problems and worried about a Stent being rejected. The injection prior to start sounds horrid. I know I have to have it but despite this, it's taking over my life.

[MONIREN]

Hope all goes well for you, being scared of the unknown is normal. Everyone has different experiences, plus different staff that help. So hopefully you won't hear negative comments to make it more difficult. Focus on the end result and you will be okay. All the best. Moni

[4cokecansBHF]

Try not to worry. You will be in the BEST HANDS. They do this tremendous work day in day out. I had three stents as an emergency procedure after having been told I was having a serious heart attack. You will be told exactly what way to lie etc. Concentrate on lying still and it will soon be over. Good luck.

[Heartho in reply to 4cokecansBHF]

Thank you. Just something about the heart!!

[K9ndo]

Hi, from my experience having first having an angiogram prior to having my stent fitted it was a totally pain free experience. Whilst being scared prior to each procedure and being awake and aware of what’s happening I couldn’t really feel much. The contrast being injected feels strange but not painful. Post procedure the wrist clamp to close the entry point during the procedure was my most uncomfortable period.

Good luck my experience was good, albeit scary.

[Heartho in reply to K9ndo]

Thank you I know I am being ridiculous and that this is happening to thousands every day. Have had other procedures but this really has got to me.

[annpavitt250448]

I am having my third one next week. It's relatively painless. I did feel a bit of tugging during the first one but nothing painful. The injection gives a warm flush through your body and might for a second might think you have set yourself. They will monitor you well for a few hours after and gradually release the pressure on the arm clamp. You can ask for some sedation if you need it. I had quite a bit of sedation the second one, but that was I had agreed to take part in a trial and they obviously didn't want me to know whether I had had a stent or not.

[Heartho in reply to annpavitt250448]

Thanks, three goodness that's a hero's badge. Mine is with PCR which I guess means stents.

[BeKind28-]

Hello

I am the most anxious person maybe you could meet and when I had my first heart attack they tried to do an angiogram but I went into a panic attack and there was no way they were even going to attempt it which resulted in me not having one done and been sent home on a cocktail of tablets then having two more heart attacks till there was no choice we had to work round how to keep me calm enough to have one done

I had not helped myself reading about everything that could go wrong which is so rare but they have to say it even having a tooth out comes with risks even though rare

I read what they did and goodness I imagined it to be the worst thing ever in my head

But it is not and I felt such a fool for getting myself in such a state and not getting the very first one done as it could have saved me having 2 more heart attacks because when I had my angiogram eventually I needed a triple bypass

Let the Nurses know how anxious you are and ask if you can have a little sedation

The only thing you may notice is the room feels quite cold but they will talk you through all that and as they start the procedure you do not notice it is so much

I can say I felt no pain just a few strange sensations as they were doing it the Nurses talked to me all the time to distract me

If I can get through having a angiogram honestly anyone can and you can to

Let us know how you get on x

[Heartho in reply to BeKind28-]

Thank you. Very reassuring. How about when they give the local anaesthetic?

[BeKind28- in reply to Heartho]

Hello

I coped fine hardly felt a thing I just kept talking to the Nurses

Just make sure you let them know how anxious you are and even say will you keep talking to me to help distract me they usually are lovely and will be more than happy to do so x

[AAJJTt]

Hi, try not to worry and over think.

I had an angiogram a few days after a heart attack. Obviously my event was totally unexpected, so I really had no idea what the procedure entailed and no time to look anything up either.

The staff at the centre were fantastic.

The angiogram was pretty much painless. It was a little uncomfortable on the wrist cuff, I assume while the catheter was inserted but nothing intolerable. Once the sedative was administered that was pretty much it; I was very jovial through the process, even managing a laugh with the staff. I was quite fascinated by it all and watched the screens with interest.

The centre ran 2 theatres in tandem and post procedure, I was placed in the recovery room with the chap from the other theatre. We discussed our stories; I was pretty lucky - no intervention / no stents and no occlusive disease.

I’ve no qualms about having one again but hopefully not.

It is a routine procedure, I’m sure you will be ok