What to Expect
Angiography, or a coronary angiogram, helps your doctor look for signs of poor blood flow in the vessels around your heart. Your doctor may recommend this diagnostic test if you have symptoms of coronary artery disease, pain in your chest, congenital heart disease, or abnormal results on a heart stress test.
The test is done in Baystate Health’s cardiac catheterization lab, which is open 24/7 for emergencies.
During angiography, you lie on your back on an X-ray table. You may be given a sedative to relax. A thin long tube (catheter) is sent through your veins and toward your heart. Special dye is sent through the catheter and into your arteries. This dye can be seen by X-rays. Then, X-rays are taken to show signs of narrowing or blockages.
Depending on your symptoms and diagnosis, your doctor may place a small metal mesh tube (stent) to help improve blood flow during your angiogram.