Angiography is a test that creates an image of the blood flowing through your body. This can show how well your circulatory system works and whether you have any blockages. It's used to diagnose different types of heart disease, such as coronary artery disease or peripheral vascular occlusions, as well as identify abnormal blood vessels which may be responsible for heart attack or stroke.
When an angiogram is performed, a special dye is injected into the veins that normally supply your heart and lungs with blood. This then flows through your body's arteries until it reaches where it needs to go. It then traces out the paths that blood takes as it travels throughout your body, with images to show how well this is happening.
This test can find problems with the coronary arteries, which deliver blood to your heart muscle. It can also show where there may be a problem with other blood vessels in your body, such as strokes or aneurysms.
Why is Angiography Used
Most angiograms diagnose heart problems, such as atherosclerosis or hardening of the arteries, which strain the heart. It can also look at abnormal vessels to diagnose certain diseases. If there is a blockage in your route supplying blood to a part of your body, it can cause damage and weaken the tissues provided by it. This can lead to a stroke or a heart attack, among other problems.
A test like an angiogram will help doctors to look for and diagnose any problems with your blood vessels. If you are found to have defective plates, like aneurysms or plaque, then treatments such as surgery may be recommended to fix them. Your doctor might also advise you on how to change your lifestyle to reduce the blockage in any of your arteries.
What Occurs During the Test?
During an angiogram, a doctor will insert a thin tube with a light and camera on the end of it into an artery in your neck. This is called the angiography catheter. In the next step, they will inject dye into that tube. It then flows down towards your heart, where it is supposed to be detected by the X-ray machine. Your doctors will then watch these images and interpret them together to tell you what problems you have with your blood vessels and heart function and what specific treatments you may need. No special preparation is needed for an angiogram, as this test does not require the patient to lie down. The procedure is usually safe and quick.
Risk and Expected Findings
The risks of an angiogram are very small. The dye will make you feel slightly dizzy and lightheaded for a short time, but this is not dangerous, and you do not have to worry about any serious side effects. You will have discomfort during the injection, so it is recommended to move your arms and legs frequently to help avoid numbness in them. You will also likely experience back pain after the procedure, so make sure to place padding on your back until the pain subsides.
The dye will also cause slight discoloration of your skin and may stain your clothing, and it's advised to put on long pants and a shirt with a long sleeve while waiting for the procedure. If you have an arterial blockage or blood clot in one of your blood vessels, they will likely see this during the test. This could cause high blood pressure in some places and make you feel faint or dizzy. You might also experience some pain as a result of the blockage.
Some people may experience irregular heartbeats due to variations in blood pressure during the test. This won't have any lasting negative effects, though it could make you feel uncomfortable for a short period. This can sometimes be minimized by breathing deep and using a hand of support if needed.
An angiography can tell your doctor much about the blood flowing through your body. The test is important because it can identify problems with your arteries and help you understand what treatment you may need. Your doctor will explain exactly what they are looking for during the procedure so that you won't have any surprises later on. After you are done, you can rest easy, knowing that your angiogram helped identify problems with your heart and blood vessels and provided a way to fix them.