Impending Angiogram

[Orchid56]

I have just had a letter to tell me I am booked in for a Angiogram in a few weeks time. It’s a bit of a shock I have a sliding Hernia and the occasional pain is due to that. I think maybe it’s a risky procedure and should be given to someone who really needs it . Am I being silly ? I’ve been told by friends that it’s a good thing to have done anyway but I’m confused 😕 can anyone reassure me please 🙏🏻

[AnyoneWhoHad]

Hello Orchid

I had an angiogram on 17 January and I'm glad I did because it resulted in immediatel treatment for arterial problems as part of the procedure. I think it helps to have the investigation because, as in my own case, there were issues that needed to be addressed and they were there and then, but for other people I met in hospital it confirmed that there weren't any such issues and that helped give them greater peace of mind. My understanding is that it is a generally safe procedure that greatly clarifies our heart health, so my view is that if it is offered it is usually worth accepting. I hope that you are somewhat reassured by these comments and they help you to make a decision about the best way forward for you. I wish you well whatever decision you make, but as I see it, it is a minimally invasive procedure with the potential to significantly improve ones health or rule out the need for any further intervention and so that is my view of it for what that's worth. Best wishes.

[Wonky_heart]

It's perfectly normal to be anxious about having an angiogram. I was terrified before my first one and was shocked when I heard from friends that they'd had several. Now, I too have had several (for many reasons) and all I can say is you're in good hands. They know you're going to be anxious and the teams that are around you do really look after you. Like all tests, ultimately it's up to you to decide whether to have it or not, and you have to sign a consent form beforehand. The cardiologist will fully explain what will happen, what they're looking for and the risks. Because it's done in a special theatre like room and everyone is dressed in theatre gowns, it can be very overwhelming, but you will have a nurse there just for you to help you and explain exactly what's happening all the time.

[Richie34 in reply to Wonky_heart]

Agree with all you've written, however my experience wasn't as great or as one might have expected in terms of the explanation of the procedure. I had a junior member of staff might have even been a student nurse come to the ward with what felt like a task to complete IE getting me to sign the consent form, no explanation was provided. I wasn't especially anxious about the procedure,I'd done enough googling and youtubing to know what to expect,my anxiety was around what they might find as a result!

[SuddenShock in reply to Richie34]

Mine was similar, including the gooling and signing. My outcome was a shock and I initially thought that I would have been better off not knowing. The hospital that did the angiogram were not especially helpful and left me in a very low state but a consultant from Leicester was very helpful suggesting a longer life expectancy rather than sudden demise. Better to know and get the options in my case despite the initial worry.

Hope it goes ok

[Richie34 in reply to SuddenShock]

Same really,I halved hoped the angiogram would reveal minimal age commensurate atherosclerosis but alas instead it revealed two significant blockages in two separate coronary arteries that were treated at the time using ballon angioplasty. A month later on I still feel tender on my left pectoral and I've wrestled with whether to worry about this or it's just the effects of an invasive procedure and it needs time to settle down but a month later on I'm not sure what to think and maybe thinking about it too uch is part of the ongoing issue?

[SuddenShock in reply to Richie34]

always a question...

Personally I would use the bhf chat, they are real cardio nurses who have probably seen it all before and know what they are talking about. Very helpful for running the questions past.

[Richie34 in reply to SuddenShock]

Ok,that's worth knowing I'd rather presumed it was a forum for 'patients'

[SuddenShock in reply to Richie34]

For absolute clarity: bhf.org.uk/informationsuppo...

I hope that this helps

[Richie34 in reply to SuddenShock]

Thanks,this is really useful 👍

[Goonerboy6661]

maybe ask if you can have a CT angiogram with AI instead as it’s non invasive.

[Zerohere]

All I can say is it’s a routine procedure, painless and fairly quick, you can’t even see the scar on my wrist..

I was even taken into the theatre with smoke on the water coming through the speakers and the post care was first class.

And in my case it discovered issues which other investigations hadn’t revealed or were inconclusive of which I’ve just undergone surgery to rectify.

[fishonabike]

I am sorry to hear that you feel anxious about this.

All invasive procedures carry a risk, but doctors do not offer them unless they feel that the benefits outweigh the risks - so they have reasons for thinking that this investigation is necessary for you

You might also want to consider the risks you take every day without a thought, the main one going anywhere in a car - I am no statistician but the risks you take every time you go out in a car are probably far greater than the risks involved in an angiogram, and you probably do the former regularly (you may be a "safe" driver or be with one, but you have no idea of what other drivers might do!)

When you weigh all this up it might help you take a different view.

[Orchid56 in reply to fishonabike]

Thank you, it does help having other opinions I appreciate what you have said ☺️x

[30912]

If you are offered it, take it would be my suggestion.

I was asked back in 2018 if I had any family history with cardiac problems and told the cardiologist that my dad had a triple by-pass at aged 71. He offered me an angiogram. Glad I did as they found 80 to 90 percent LAD blockage. Put me on statins straight away.

The procedure was easy to cope with.

Good luck.

[SuddenShock in reply to 30912]

Similar here, no particular warnings ahead of time. On "the list" and hopefully popping in for some alternative plumbing in the next few weeks.

No, I don't particularly want sugery but I am 60, officially left work a week ago on Friday to retire (not prompted by this at all), I have loads of tools and other toys that need to be worn out, I need to build a new garden room for my wife, I have a 4 year old grandson that needs to learn to ride a bike, catch a fish, score a goal, ...

[Oldgimmer66]

I’ve just had one angiogram and was very anxious after being given all the warning info at the hospital, but the info is mainly for legal reasons I suspect. The procedure was painless, apart from the local anaesthetic which it seems I have an unusuall reaction to. I don’t know if it’s possible to have a trial with this on a small patch of skin but that’s what I’ll be asking for next time.

[Orchid56 in reply to Oldgimmer66]

Thank you I appreciate you reply x

[SuddenShock in reply to Oldgimmer66]

The anaesthetic did sting a bit at first but it soon passed.

[Oldgimmer66 in reply to SuddenShock]

My experience was a LOT worse than a sting, but I didn’t want to alarm Orchid. Hence my suggestion. Lidocaine can produce a very intense burning sensation in some people, but I’m told this can be reduced by buffering with Sodium Bicarbonate. It’s not helpful to dismiss others experiences!

[wishIwasbetter]

Hi Orchid

Nothing to worry about. The staff talk you through every move. they are well aware you might be nervous and chat to you as if your on a night out. I had mine in 2013 and had two stents fitted. I walked out the same day a better man. The slight discomfort you might feel is well worth it. You'll be fine.

[Hoyde]

Hello Orchid 56.

I had one last Monday and after reading the consent forms was a bit wobbly but I needn’t have worried. I think they are used to dealing with ‘wobbly ladies’. They explained everything they were going to do before doing it. As I was already in hospital I was taken back to the ward .

I hope you don’t mind but from your profile you are a lady around my age. I see you mention a sliding hernia, I had surgery to rectify that about 10 years ago. Last summer I started to get what I thought was really bad indigestion/pain in my chest. Radiating round my ribs / back . It even woke me up in the night sometimes. Anyway I had a bad attack in the city, ambulance called. Turns out I have Unstable Angina and a leaky aortic valve. I am so thankful and at the same time angry with myself for not mentioning it to my GP thinking it was just really bad heartburn.

It’s only natural to feel concerned about it but if my experience is anything to go by you’ll be fine.

[Orchid56 in reply to Hoyde]

Thank you so much for your reply it was very helpful 🙏🏻 I think I will go ahead even though I am very anxious about it.💐

[Qualipop in reply to Orchid56]

I've had two; one immediately after a heart attack when 2 stents were fitted. I didn't even have time to think about it much less worry. It was painful when they fitted the catheter in my wrist but then I was sedated , fully awake but didn't care. Just annoyed that they wouldn't let me watch the screens. Second one to check for more suspected blockages a few weeks later I was petrified but the staff were great. Again, apart from massive bruising because they loosened teh pressure bandage too soon it was absolutely fine and I was back in bed eating tea and toast before I knew it. They did find two more blockages but not bad enough to stent

[pete109]

There must be thousands of people walking around with no symptoms but in imminent danger of having a heart attack because of severely restricted cardiac arteries, I was in that position, I only had the many tests and scans due to a BP problem, as it is the last test was an angiogram and had the cardiologist ringing me on a Sunday morning telling me that I’ve been booked in for PCI and stents, my original problem is still there but at least the imminent heart attack risk has been sorted, most people have a heart attack first before they get an angiogram, perhaps in the future people will have an angiogram as a preventative at say 50 or 60, it would save people a lot of grief and also save the NHS money, so if it’s offered, take it, at least you’ll know.

[Orchid56 in reply to pete109]

Thank you , your right I will go ahead

Many Thanks x

[Pundit999]

You do not say if you are having any symptoms. If you are, such as chest pains, please go ahead with the angiography.

If you are not having symptoms, at your age it is probably better to get a CT angiography and not the regular angiography. It is a non invasive, quick test. Ask the cardiologist if that will be better.

[Orchid56]

Thank you I will x

[cabgpatch]

I had an angiogram after an inconclusive stress ECG test. I was expecting perhaps a stent, but they found severe stenosis (narrowing) in three arteries and told me I had to have a triple bypass. Since I was asymptomatic, I wouldn't have known about it until I would probably have dropped dead from a heart attack. The thing is, although a triple bypass is no walk in the park, pragmatically, it's better than the alternative! The procedure cost me a day in hospital and gave me back my life.

All the best

Paul

[Chinkoflight]

Hi Orchid56, I think it's a good question and it's generated a lot of reading for you. I don't really understand why you have linked your hernia with questioning why you might need an angiogram.Surely the two are not related. I would have thought you have had investigations and other tests for heart and circulatory issues , eg echocardiogram, ECG, blood tests, associated with symptoms you have presented to your Doctors. Apologies if I have this wrong.

Whatever, an angiogram gives a clear picture of how your heart is working and how blood is exiting and entering through key blood vessels. If blockages are found they can be quickly overcome during the procedure using stents to open up the vessels.

An angiogram can be an important diagnostic tool. In my case the angiogram ruled out common causes of my condition, much to the surprise of some of the Doctors who were convinced I would need stents at the very least. This meant further investigation was needed. In a stretched NHS some Doctors were so confident in the probability I had some form of ischaemic heart failure they just wanted to discharge me without even an angiogram. The angiogram results meant I subsequently had even more specialist investigation needed not available at my general hospital.

The angiogram was an important step. It's unusual to have an invasive while awake procedure not least of the heart, when the point of entry is nowhere near the target. If this is your first serious procedure it would be very unusual not to feel anxious. But for the Drs, and their teams it's a well tried and tested procedure. It's not a procedure done just for the fun of it, your Drs clearly think it's an important. Perhaps you need to talk to them more and ask what they are concerned about.

I hope this helps.

[Orchid56]

Thank you for taking the time to respond. I appreciate your reply I am going to speak to my Dr.