Cochrane Heart Center
Diagnostic Cardiac Catheterization
Looking for a few blocked arteries
Your doctor just told you that the arteries in your heart are possibly blocked. To confirm the diagnosis, you need to go to the “cath lab” for something called a cardiac cath.
Sound confusing? It really isn't. What you're basically about to undergo is a test that uses specialized x-rays to produce a clear view of the arteries in your heart.
The following are some important questions and answers about your cardiac cath (sometimes also called coronary angiography or coronary arteriography). Reading them will help you best prepare for – and understand – the procedure. Get your questions about cardiac catheterization answered by clicking on a link below.
- How is cardiac catheterization performed?
- Where is it performed?
- How do I prepare for the test?
- How long will the test take?
- Will it hurt?
- Are there any risks to angiography?
- What happens after the procedure is over?
- What will the results reveal?
- If one or more of my arteries are blocked, what’s the next step?
- How is angioplasty performed?
Learn
about the heart's continuous pumping cycle.