Angiography in Hyderabad

What Is an Angiography?

Angiography (also called coronary angiography or an angiogram) is a diagnostic procedure that uses a special X-ray dye to visualise the blood vessels of the heart. It helps your doctor see whether the coronary arteries are narrowed, blocked or affected by any other problem.

During the procedure, a thin, flexible tube called a catheter is guided to the heart through a blood vessel, usually in the wrist or groin. A contrast dye is then injected, and X-ray images are taken. The dye makes the arteries visible on screen, allowing your cardiologist to identify exactly where and how much narrowing exists.

Angiography is not a treatment. It is an accurate diagnostic tool. The information it provides helps your cardiologist decide whether you need medication, angioplasty, bypass surgery or no intervention at all.

When Is Angiography Recommended?

Your cardiologist may recommend coronary angiography if you have:

Chest pain (angina) that is not improving with medication
Abnormal results on a stress test (TMT) or other cardiac tests
Evidence of a recent or suspected heart attack
Coronary artery disease diagnosed on prior imaging
Heart failure with unknown cause
Certain valvular conditions requiring surgery evaluation

The decision to perform angiography is always individual. Your doctor will discuss the reasons, benefits and risks before recommending it.

How Does the Procedure Work at Our Hospital?

At Vijaya Heart Centre, angiography is performed in our catheterisation laboratory (cath lab) by an experienced interventional cardiologist. The steps are simple:

Preparation: You will usually be advised to fast for a few hours before the procedure. Basic blood tests and an ECG are done beforehand.
The procedure: A local anaesthetic numbs the access site. A small sheath is placed, and the catheter is advanced to your heart under X-ray guidance.
Imaging: Contrast dye is injected, and clear images of your coronary arteries are recorded.
Recovery: The catheter is removed, pressure is applied to the access site, and you rest for a few hours while staff monitor your recovery.

Most angiography procedures take about 30 to 45 minutes. You are awake during the procedure, but the area being examined is numbed so you should not feel significant discomfort.

What Patients Can Expect

Most patients go home the same day or the following morning. You will be given clear instructions about activity, wound care, medicines and what to watch for after the procedure.

The results of the angiogram guide the next step. If no significant narrowing is found, you may continue with medical management and lifestyle measures. If important blockages are present, your cardiologist will discuss treatment options such as angioplasty with stent placement or, rarely, referral for bypass surgery.

FAQs About Angiography

Most patients feel little to no pain. A local anaesthetic numbs the access site before the catheter is inserted. Some patients feel a mild warm sensation when the dye is injected. Let your doctor know if you experience any discomfort during the procedure.

The procedure itself usually takes 30 to 45 minutes. Additional time is needed for preparation and recovery, so you should plan to spend several hours at the hospital.

Angiography is a diagnostic test that shows blockages. Angioplasty is a treatment that opens blockages using a balloon and often a stent. Angiography is usually done first to see whether angioplasty is needed.

Many patients go home the same day. However, recovery time may vary depending on your condition, the access site used and your doctor's advice. Always follow the discharge instructions given to you.