Coronary angiogram/angiography is a procedure that uses a special dye (contrast material) and x-rays to see how blood flows through the arteries in your heart. The test is generally done to see if there’s a restriction in blood flow going to the heart.

Why it’s done

Your heart doctor may tell you to done this test if you have:

  • When you are having symptoms of coronary artery disease
  • Pain in your chest, jaw, neck, or arm that can’t be explained by other tests
  • New or increasing chest pain (unstable angina)
  • A heart defect you were born with (congenital heart disease)
  • Abnormal results on a noninvasive heart stress test
  • Other blood vessel problems or a chest injury
  • A heart valve problem that requires surgery

Because there’s a small risk of complications, angiograms aren’t usually done until after noninvasive heart tests have been performed, such as an electrocardiogram, an echocardiogram, or a stress test.

Risks

As with most procedures done on your heart and blood vessels, a coronary angiogram has some risks, such as radiation exposure from the X-rays used. Major complications are rare, though. Potential risks and complications include:

  • Heart attack
  • Stroke
  • Injury to the catheterized artery
  • Irregular heart rhythms (arrhythmias)
  • Allergic reactions to the dye or medications used during the procedure
  • Kidney damage
  • Excessive bleeding
  • Infection

Results

An angiogram can show doctors what’s wrong with your blood vessels. It can:

  • Show how many of your coronary arteries are blocked or narrowed by fatty plaques (atherosclerosis)
  • Pinpoint where blockages are located in your blood vessels
  • Show how much blood flow is blocked through your blood vessels
  • Check the results of previous coronary bypass surgery
  • Check the blood flow through your heart and blood vessels

Knowing this information can help your cardiologist determine what treatment is best for you and how much danger your heart condition poses to your health. Based on your results, your doctor may decide, for instance, that you would benefit from having coronary angioplasty or stenting to help clear clogged arteries. It’s also possible that angioplasty or stenting could be done during your angiogram to avoid needing another procedure.