An angiogram is a test to find out more about your heart. It can show whether your heart is pumping properly.

An angiogram can also show if there’s any evidence of damage or disease affecting the blood vessels.

What is an angiogram?

An angiogram gives detailed images of your blood vessels and heart. It can help to show if blood vessels called coronary arteries, which supply blood to your heart, are narrowed or blocked. If they are, the test can show where and how seriously they’re affected. The doctor may be able to treat problems that show up during an angiogram. An angiogram can also show:

• how well your heart is pumping blood
• any damage after a heart attack

During an angiogram, your consultant will put a long, thin, flexible tube called a catheter into an artery in your groin or wrist. This procedure is called cardiac catheterisation. The consultant will guide the catheter to your heart and inject a dye through it. This will mean your heart and coronary arteries show up more clearly on X-rays.

You may not be able to have an angiogram if you’ve had an allergic reaction to the dye before. You should also let your consultant know if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding, as there can be some risks to doing an angiogram in these situations.