Angiogram scan

A cardiac angiogram is an important test we use to get a detailed look at the blood vessels supplying your heart. By performing this procedure, we can determine if there are any narrowing or blockages in your coronary arteries, which may be affecting your heart’s blood supply and potentially causing your symptoms or increasing your risk of heart problems.

You might need an angiogram if you’ve been experiencing chest pain, shortness of breath, signs of angina, or if other tests have suggested possible heart disease. In some cases, it’s also done after a heart attack to understand the condition of your arteries. The information we get from this test is crucial—it helps us confirm or rule out coronary heart disease, understand exactly where any problems are, and plan the most appropriate treatment for you, whether that’s medication, a stent, or sometimes surgery.

What is an angiogram scan?

An angiogram scan looks at the health of your blood vessels and how your blood supply is moving through your heart. It uses X-ray scans with special dye threaded through your blood vessels via a catheter to highlight concerns such as blockages, narrowing, or abnormal connections.

This test can highlight any serious blockages that may need immediate treatment due to the risk of severe complications such as a heart attack or stroke.

If you have just recovered from having a heart attack, we will also perform this test to ensure there has been no damage to your arteries or veins.

Preparation

To prepare for the procedure, you should follow the specific instructions provided to you beforehand.

You will need to stop eating and drinking 6 to 8 hours before the procedure and stop taking certain medications 24 hours beforehand. For example, if you’re taking blood thinners like warfarin or rivaroxaban, we’ll usually ask you to stop them a couple of days before your appointment. If you’re on metformin for diabetes, we may ask you to hold off on it for a short time to protect your kidneys. Water tablets (diuretics) and certain heart medications might also need adjusting.

We will discuss what you are currently taking and whether we need to adjust it before performing the test. If anything needs to be stopped, we’ll let you know exactly when and whether you’ll need an alternative in the meantime.

It’s also really important that you stop smoking before your procedure, if you can. Even quitting just a few days ahead can help improve blood flow, make the test safer, and help you recover more easily. If you’re finding it hard to stop, we can talk to you about things that might help, like nicotine patches or support services through the NHS. Quitting smoking can feel tough, but it’s one of the best things you can do for your heart, and we’re here to support you through it.

Avoid oils and heavy moisturisers before the procedure, as these will interfere with the gel and cause the electrodes to not stick as well to the skin. Hair may also interfere with the electrodes, so we might advise you to remove chest hair beforehand.

You won’t be able to drive for the rest of the day. So, after the procedure, you will need to arrange for somebody to drive you home.

Procedure

Before the procedure begins, we will ask you to change into a gown and lie down on a padded examination table. You will be given a local anaesthetic on the blood vessel in your wrist or groin to numb the area. Most people initially feel a sting when they are injected, similar to a quick pinprick, and then the area becomes numb. There shouldn’t be any sharp pain after that.

Once your skin is numb, a small cut is made. A thin, flexible tube called a catheter is then gently threaded through the cut into an artery located in your wrist or groin, using X-rays to guide the thin tube to your heart. You likely won’t feel the tube move inside you, just pressure at the entry site.

When the catheter has reached the right place, a brightly coloured dye will be pumped through the tube. More X-rays will be taken as the dye flows through your arteries and heart, showing any narrowing or blockages. 

You shouldn’t feel the catheter in your artery, but you may notice a warm flush throughout your body for a few seconds when the dye is injected.

During the test, you’ll be attached to a heart monitor recording your heart rate and rhythm and a probe measuring your oxygen levels on your finger. Please let us know if you feel unwell or uncomfortable at any point.

Once the test is complete, we will remove the catheter. Care will be taken to stop any bleeding at the cut site. A bandage or pressure may be applied. The dye used will naturally flush out of your body through your urine (pee). Make sure you keep hydrated to make sure it is flushed out properly.

Results and aftercare

We will seal the access area and bandage the cut to ensure it stops bleeding. You will stay within the clinic for 4-6 hours while you recover, so we can monitor your condition before sending you home.

Most people will go home the same day. However, depending on your condition and results, you may be kept in for observation.

After your angiogram, it’s important to give your body time to heal, especially at the site where the catheter was inserted in your wrist or groin. For about a week, avoid heavy lifting, strenuous exercise, vigorous housework, gardening, or playing sports, as these activities can strain your wound and increase the risk of bleeding or bruising.

You should also avoid driving for at least 24–72 hours (and up to a week if you’ve had a more involved procedure), and hold off on long walks or sexual activity until advised. If your job involves physical work, we can advise when it will be safe for you to return.

That doesn’t mean you have to be inactive. Gentle activities like short, easy walks around the house are encouraged to keep your circulation moving without overexerting yourself. As an alternative to more intense forms of exercise, focus on gentle stretching, deep breathing, and light chores if you feel up to it. If you’re unsure about any activity or experience pain, swelling, or increased discomfort, it’s best to check with our team before resuming normal routines.

We will analyse your results after the procedure and schedule a follow-up appointment with you to discuss your next steps. If we find narrowing or blockages, we’ll explain what this means for your heart health and discuss the best treatment options tailored to your individual needs.

If your symptoms worsen or if you have developed new symptoms after the test, please notify us immediately.

Frequently asked questions

When will I get my results?

This often occurs on the same day, but a detailed discussion may take place during a follow-up within 1–2 weeks.

Will I need another angiogram?

Not usually, unless there are new symptoms or further issues that need investigating.

How long does the procedure take?

An angiogram typically takes anywhere from 30 minutes to 2 hours, depending on what needs to be investigated. Most people can go home the same day

Will I be awake during the angiogram?

Yes, you will usually be awake. The area where the catheter is inserted (your wrist or groin) will be numbed with local anaesthetic.