I was asked to share my recent experience of undergoing an angiogram.
I attended the Royal Glamorgan hospital in South Wales, it was an early start and had to be there for 8.00 a.m.
I was greeted by a member of staff and was welcomed onto the ward, it is a small unit and has 4 beds, I was first to be admitted and was joined by another 3 people.
The staff were friendly and very reassuring over the procedure and what would happen pre op and recovery.
I was first into the theatre where again I was greeted by the team and each member told me their role and name.
One surprise I was asked what my favourite music was and told them some sort of rock would go down well, to which I was wheeled in to smoke on the water.
The procedure was straightforward local anaesthetic was applied to my right wrist, as I was on my back I couldn’t see what the surgeon was performing, however I felt nothing, the only piece of equipment I was aware of was the X Ray monitor which moves around in front of your chest, after around 20 minutes a inflatable plastic cuff was placed over the wound and I was taken back up to the ward for the recovery, at no time did I experience any pain or discomfort.
Back on the ward I was offered a cup and tea and biscuits, I was not allowed to lift anything and I was monitored continually for vital signs, the pressure from the plastic cuff was gradually released, they like you to drink a couple of jugs of water this is to flush out the dye they use in the procedure.
I spent a couple of hours on the ward, was fed some sandwiches and plenty of tea.
The doctor who carried out the examination came around and gave me the result.
I have to say to anyone who has to have or knows of anyone having to have angiogram then there is nothing to worry about,
As for me and it was Friday the 13th, I have been diagnosed with narrowing of the arteries on one side of my heart, so my story continues as I await a decision of whether I require a bypass or stents.
Written by
Zerohere
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Honestly - you will be fine! You can ask for some sedation, to help relax you. The procedure really doesn’t take very long and the most uncomfortable thing, was the wrist cuff afterwards, which they put on to apply pressure to the artery that they went in through. This took about 4 hrs or so to deflate, with a nurse coming round every half an hour to deflate it a little more each time.
I think I was on the unit for 7 hrs in total - but did have a T.O.E carried out prior to the Angiogram, so you will probably be quicker.
As someone has mentioned they give you a relaxant, Valium, not sure if it worked as I didn’t feel any different, not sure on the pillows ask the staff when you get there.
When I had mine, I think I only had one pillow, but I would ask. I would tell them in advance you'd like sedation and remind them when you get there. Although most hospitals do it as routine.It's more to make sure you keep still , rather than for pain , which is really minimal.
That sounds like a very positive experience and better than mine, not that I have any complaint. I found it quite relaxing inside the "tube". I wasn't offered refreshments, though told to drink lots of water when I got home. Water was available in the waiting room, but being an elderly gentleman I need to be aware of toilets.
The only time I've been offered any refreshments was when I was in a day-ward awaiting the results of emergency tests: I was given a choice of two packed sandwiches, but with white bread; I opted for a cheese filling which, with the dryness of the bread, was not pleasant to the taste.
You are not in a tube for this test I had it sounds very similar experience on day ward but mine took an hour and a half but doctor explained everyone’s anatomy is different but it was ok funniest bit was after I was back in day ward being given a sandwich not allowed to use my right arm and I had a cannula inside my left elbow . I just said help I can’t bend sandwich to reach my mouth we both laughed a she fed me . I managed me drink with a straw then another nurse brought a fork for my sandwich .
Mine was a very positive experience, i was in hospital anyway so didnt have to turn up and get all gowned up. Got wheeled in the unit where it all happened and i must say i was impressed on how it all looked, something out of the starship enterprise, what really hit me was a huge screen with a seascape aquarium playing. I got layed down and asked how many cushions for my knees and back, once i got settled i was given valium, after the valium set in all i kept thinking was "these blokes are really lovely" lol the guy that did it was dutch and didnt speak much english but i felt so safe. I was asked what music i liked and before i knew it Bon Jovi was belting out OOOOH we`er half way there OOOOH living on a prayer. then it was all over and back to the ward for toast and tea.Oh they showed me my heart on the huge screen, its so amazing. All i remember was a cold sensation around my body but no pain.
Zerohere You experience sounds very much like mine. The only things I have to add is that I had a pre-procedure telephone assessment a few days before my outpatients angiogram appointment (medication, allergies, state of health etc), I was told not to drive for 24 hours post procedure (if I had been stented it would have been 7 days per DVLA assuming all went well), and the angio unit would only discharge me to a face to face pick up off the ward.
amazing. If I had to describe my own angiogram at wythenshawe hospital I couldn’t have described it better. It was almost world for word the same as your experience, except for the music!
The team were amazing. I’m very happy to hear you had such a positive experience.
Hello. That is all very reassuring as I am due to have mine next Wednesday. However on my appointment letter it states that if any blockages are found then a stent will be inserted there and then. I’m just wondering if different hospitals have their own way of working.
I had my HA attack 4 weeks ago and I’ll be glad to have the angiogram done to find out exactly what caused it.
My understanding is that it is usually standard procedure to stent as part of an angiogram procedure, assuming of course that stents are needed, rather than delay. Your agreement to this will have been given when you sign the consent form prior to allowing the procedure to go ahead. Be aware that if you are stented DVLA stipulates you shall not drive for 7 days afterwards on the assumption that all has gone well. If it hasn't that may be longer. And I was told not to drive for 24 hours post procedure (no stents) but that may vary according to where you go. And a friend who was recently stented was subsequently invited to attend cardio rehab.
The doctor overseeing my case was reluctantly to make a decision on my treatment, he has referred it to the surgical team to decide whether it will be a bypass or stents, so I assume every case warrants a different approach, and if it’s stents it done at the University hospital in Cardiff and if it’s a bypass it’s done a LLandough also in Cardiff.
good morning Zerohere from a Bridgend lady. Glad to hear about your experience. I had mine done in Morriston and also had a stress free positive experience. Hope you dont have to wait too long for a decision!
Interesting, thank you for sharing. My dad just had a angiogram in USA and they put him under general anaesthetic for it! Guess every place is different what they do. Glad u had a good experience 😁
I think it's a good idea for people to give their unique experience of this procedure. For me, I was not so lucky. The local anaesthetic was OK but the sedative did not work for me and I felt everything. It was very sore and extremely uncomfortable. I have had 3 of these, and at the last one my veins collapsed. Normally if you need a stent/stents, they do it there and then. I had one stent the first time, then they double scented me the second time. During the 3rd angiogram they could see that both stents and arteries had collapsed and so I was referred for a double cabg. It was the best thing for me as I was quite poorly. I feel great now. I'm glad you had a good experience with this procedure.
thank you for sharing your experience, we hear about so many bad ones that it is easy to think that hospitals are one big nightmare! the truth is that most people have experiences like yours (when they are eventually seen!)
i'm sure most of us wish we could all be given results immediately, and I am pleased this happened for you - unfortunately this is not always possible and many of us face long waits for news from inside our own bodies
On the pre assessment did they mention anything about inserting a stent during your procedure if they felt it was necessary?I have my pre assessment at The Grange tomorrow 2nd Oct.
No, as I said the doctor wasn’t sure whether I require a bypass or stents, so in my case he has referred it to the surgical team, so I assume every case is based on a medical diagnosis of what you need going forward.
Thank you. I have my pre assessment at The Grange Hospital tomorrow and will ask them. I hope they can let me have a couple of pillows under my head as I struggle laying flat.
That’s a good concise summary of your experience which is great to hear.
There’s been many posts on here about angiogram experiences and my personal whole round summary would be similar to yours but during it I did feel quite a fair bit of pain in my wrist. That doesn’t seem to be the norm for what other people say.
Could have just been me though. I’d been in one hospital in Edinburgh for 4 nights and was transferred to another for the angiogram and I was totally wiped out. That week all a bit of a haze for me!
mine took a little longer as they used a ballon to inflate one of my arteries, it was over 90% closed, it was totally painless and because I asked, they had a monitor positioned so I could see what happening around my heart, it was fascinating.
I had an angiogram and stent fitted at the same time. I felt pressure in my wrist during the op. This was 13 years ago so maybe things have improved. I have small veins and that may have been an added disadvantage. Is a man’s experience different from a woman’s I wonder.
Pleased it seemed to go well for you. My experience was slightly different though it's looks like the NHS have been sharing a few practices..music etc. My consultant opted to cut into my radial artery on top of my hand near the thumb...why know one knows. The pain started a few mins in and became so intense I had to tell them to stop.
Post procedure, my allotted nurse was so concerned overr the mess they d made she stormed out to find one of the team and practically dragged him back to see me . My hand was so swollen the knuckles couldn't be seen.
Much panic ensued until several people came and released some pressure in the wound dressing., saying let's try that?!
Local NHS hosp not in special measures for nothing. Still haven't had an explanation from the consultant over the site of the incision...that's to come !
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