Welcome to our video on angiograms! Today, we’ll take a closer look into your heart and blood vessels.

So, what exactly is an angiogram? An angiogram is a medical imaging technique used to visualize the blood vessels in your body, particularly in the heart. It helps doctors diagnose and treat conditions related to blood flow.

To perform an angiogram, a special dye is injected into the blood vessels. This dye shows up on X-ray images, allowing doctors to see any blockages or abnormalities.

An angiogram is typically done in a hospital setting, and it’s important to follow your doctor’s instructions before the procedure. During the angiogram, you’ll lie on a table while a specialized X-ray machine captures images of your blood vessels.

Before the procedure begins, a local anesthetic might be used to numb the area where the catheter will be inserted. A thin tube, called a catheter, will be carefully guided through a blood vessel and into the area to be examined. This could be an artery in your wrist, groin, or arm.

Once the catheter is correctly positioned, the dye is injected, which allows the X-ray machine to capture detailed images of your blood vessels. These images help doctors identify any blockages or narrowing that may be affecting blood flow.

After the angiogram, the catheter is removed, and pressure will be applied to the insertion site to prevent bleeding. You may be asked to lie still for a while to ensure there are no complications.

It’s important to remember that complications are rare, but it’s always essential to follow your doctor’s advice and ask any questions you may have. Angiograms are valuable tools that help doctors gather crucial information and provide accurate diagnoses.