Angiogram

[Ham1846]

I’ve now got my appt for my angiogram for Fri after a 5 week wait. I so wanted this to happen but now I have received the letter and information sheet with all the risks I’ve become terrified and anxious about having it done. Anyone else felt this way?

[PadThaiNoodles]

I was "fortunate" that my angiogram was just a prelude to open heart surgery, so all my worry was focused on the later. I found it pretty cool: I chose to be awake which meant I got to see my coronary arteries on the big screen. Felt like I was in a science fiction movie.

[Ham1846 in reply to PadThaiNoodles]

I hope they sedate me so it’s all over before I know it !!!

[PadThaiNoodles in reply to Ham1846]

You can definitely ask to be knocked out. (Even if left awake you are somewhat sedated.)

Good luck with it!

[Bobkins99 in reply to PadThaiNoodles]

It's called cover their arses. They have to tell you of all the possible things that could go wrong, but in reality they do 1000's of them without a hitch. I've had 3, a pacemaker and OHS to repair my Mitral valve. It is what it is and better than the alternative.

[BeKind28-]

Hello

Yes I think there are alot of us felt this way and I know I did

Reading all that can go wrong is like giving us Google in paper form and as much as I think we would be better not knowing they have to even though it going wrong is so rare they have to cover themselves but before you were offered this they would have weighed up the benefits of you having it done to not doing it so I am sure you are going to be just fine

I was petrified and after felt so silly getting myself in the state I did it was nothing as I had allowed my mind to blow it up to be and they look after you so well to

Let us know how you get on x

[Ham1846 in reply to BeKind28-]

thank you for your reassuring comments and I will let you all know how it went

[BeKind28- in reply to Ham1846]

Hello

I am the most anxious person and I did it and so will you

If you are really anxious let them know and ask if you can have some sedation which I had it is nothing strong just makes you feel a little relaxed

You can do this x

[Lowerfield_no_more]

There's nothing to be terrified about. It's standard procedure and the team who will be responsible for doing it have likely done scores perhaps hundreds before you. You will have a pre procedure interview a few days before and they will confirm your details and tell you what is required before you turn up. If you are on antiplatelets they might ask you to stop for a day or two before, that's up to them. On the day you will likely be given the equivalent of a local anaesthetic in theatre, sedation is not really necessary as far as my experience goes . I have had two done both through the wrist and hardly noticed a thing. Cant say if the probe is inserted through the groin which is the alternative. Anyway I have two tiny scars to show for it each about 6mm long. The procedure takes about 30 minutes in theatre and you are then moved back to the recovery ward, where the staff keep an eye on you. If the staff decide you need to stented that will take longer and will be done at the same time. If you have the wrist procedure the staff slowly decompress the pressure cuff on the wrist and when they are happy you will be discharged. The second time I had this done I was an outpatient and this was about one and a half hours after leaving theatre more driven by the wait to speak with the cardiologist who had carried out the procedure. Finally you will need to arrange for someone to collect you from the hospital and the recommendation is you dont drive for 24 hours. If you are stented and it is successful the DVLA stipulate you can't drive for 7 days.

Hope this helps. In short nowt to worry about. Going to the dentist can be worse.

[Ham1846 in reply to Lowerfield_no_more]

Thank you for explaining and your experiences and reassurance.

[Redfloyd]

I think the local anaesthetic in the wrist was the worst bit for me. I asked for some "happy juice" which really relaxed me. I chose to keep my eyes closed, I am very squeamish, before you know it you're being wheeled back out.

[Larneybuds]

Like PadThaiNoodles I also watched mine and found it fascinating, though that's not everyone's cup of tea! I've had two done and can honestly say the only slight discomfort was at the entry point on my wrist but it felt more like pressure than pain. Apart from that it was all fine. The staff are brilliant but I'm sure if you explain how anxious you are beforehand they will give you a mild sedative. I think like most things, the thought of what's going to happen is worse than the actual procedure but as I was due for open heart surgery as well, the angiogram wasn't at the forefront of my mind. I know you will get other positive replies that will hopefully make you feel less anxious . All the best x

[Cruise1 in reply to Larneybuds]

My wife requested a CD copy of my stenting from the hospital. She was fascinated. I only glanced at parts.

[jgd15]

Agree with the comments above and before any surgery I always ask the medic 'Have you done many of these before' and for my stenting answer was 'over 1000' ...that builds confidence! Just relax and watch the screen to make the time pass quickly. All the best.

[Mfaepink1973]

I was the same and when I told the nurse she gave me something to calm me down a bit so let the nurse who admits you know how you feel. I had the angiogram done through my groin and can assure you it wasn’t painful at all. Part way through you may feel as if you are wetting yourself but you don’t, it just feels like you are. I was given the opportunity to watch the process on screens but I kept my eyes firmly shut! Honestly you’ll be fine.

[newstent]

Hi Ham, the procedure isn’t that bad, you don’t feel much other than pushing at the entry point, the wrist in my case, as there are no nerves in your arteries. I had a stent fitted when mine was done as they found a blocked artery, which again I didn’t feel and the whole process didn’t take long. Just lie there, close your eyes and concentrate on breathing.

[fishonabike]

Risk is relative - what is missing from the info you were sent is comparison with things you do every day to give you some context

The risk you take every time you make even a short local journey in a car is probably far greater than the risk involved in an angiogram. So which should you avoid?

The daily risks you unknowingly take are necessary for you to get through your routine activities. This test could make a huge difference to your future and doctors would not carry it out if they felt the risk was greater than the benefit. Sedation is available if you need it.

[MWIC]

It’s easy to get overwhelmed but listen I promise you an Angiogram is nothing to be concerned about- Had mine 3 years ago - was fully awake and watched it on screen- minor discomfort only and fascinating - as part of it, post Heart attack they found vein blockages and ballooned them at the same time - felt way better almost immediately and better than I did before having the HA

[Ham1846]

Thank you all so much for your comments I am a ‘what if’ person generally for things and I am so glad for all your reassurances. I suffer from ectopic heartbeats daily and have had high blood pressure and then was treated for an NSTEMI in Dec. My echocardiogram was fine but I think because they have done all the other tests this was the next step as I get pain in my chest and arms on exertion. I just what to know what is causing it all so I think the sedative will help.

[SuddenShock]

Totally agree with redfloyds comment. The local anaesthetic stung when it first went in but after that there was absolutely nothing to report other than the room was very cold (apparently the machinery is sensitive to warm environments). I did not have anything to relax me but I didn't know that they had started or finished until they told me to be careful getting up.

[Bingocaller]

hi I know just how you feel I was worried sick before I had mine I must have lost half a stone I needed 2 stents but there was nothing to worry about I promise you they give you a sedation you don’t feel anything the worst part is going into the treatment room on a trolley that is the truth of my experience I hope everything goes well for you let us know how you get on

[Qualipop]

I had an angio and stents after a heart attack. It didn't worry me in teh least and was such an easy procedure with sedation yet a few weeks later when I had to go for another one I was absolutely petrified, a quivering wreck. It felt ridiculous because the f irst was really really easy. The nurses were fantastic and I got a bit extra sedation.

[polenta]

I had one done a few years ago under light sedation and they went in through my wrist, but some Drs. go in through your groin. I had little to no pain and it was an easy procedure. Any procedure I have done to check on my heart causes me anxiety, but I also am glad that its being checked and if something needs to be fixed the Drs. will see it. Hope this helps, take care.