Coronary Angiography — What to Expect

Intro

Coronary angiography is a diagnostic test that uses dye and X-ray imaging to reveal blockages or narrowing in the heart’s blood vessels. It is one of the most common procedures to investigate chest pain, angina, or suspected heart disease.

Key Points

Shows real-time pictures of coronary arteries.
Helps diagnose and plan treatment for blockages.
Performed in a hospital catheterization (cath) lab.
Generally safe, but not without risks.

Background

The heart relies on coronary arteries to supply oxygen-rich blood. Narrowing or blockages from atherosclerosis can cause angina, heart attacks, or sudden cardiac death. Coronary angiography provides doctors with a map of these vessels to decide if medication, angioplasty (stents), or bypass surgery is needed.

Why It’s Done

To diagnose the cause of chest pain or unexplained shortness of breath.
To confirm suspected coronary artery disease seen on other tests (ECG, stress test, echocardiogram).
To plan treatment before angioplasty or coronary artery bypass surgery.
To evaluate complications after a heart attack.

The Procedure

Preparation: You’ll be asked not to eat or drink for several hours; blood tests and consent are completed.
Anaesthetic: A local anaesthetic numbs the insertion site (wrist or groin).
Catheter insertion: A thin flexible tube is threaded through the artery to the coronary vessels.
Contrast dye: A special dye is injected to highlight the arteries.
X-ray imaging: Live fluoroscopy captures detailed images of blood flow.

The test usually takes 30–60 minutes. Many patients go home the same day.

After the Test

Rest for several hours; keep the insertion site clean and dry.
Avoid heavy lifting for a few days.
Report swelling, bleeding, chest pain, or shortness of breath immediately.
Results are usually discussed before discharge or at follow-up.

Risks

Coronary angiography is generally safe but carries some risk:

Bruising or bleeding at the insertion site.
Allergic reaction to contrast dye.
Irregular heart rhythms or chest pain.
Rarely, heart attack, stroke, or kidney damage.

Your care team weighs these risks against the benefits of accurate diagnosis.

FAQ

Q: Is coronary angiography painful?
A: Most people only feel mild pressure during catheter insertion. The dye may cause a warm flushing sensation.

Q: How long is recovery?
A: Many patients resume light activities the next day; full recovery depends on whether additional treatment (stent, surgery) is performed.

Q: Is there an alternative test?
A: Yes. CT coronary angiography is less invasive, but standard catheter angiography provides more detailed and actionable results.