Angiography is used to examine your blood vessels' condition and the way that blood flows through them.
Several issues involving blood vessels that can be investigated or diagnosed with its assistance include:
Peripheral arterial disease, which results in a decreased blood supply to the leg muscles, is caused by the artery-narrowing condition atherosclerosis.
• Blood clots or a pulmonary embolism, which is a blockage in the artery supplying your lungs;
• A blockage in the blood, which is supplied to your kidneys;
• A brain aneurysm, which is a bulge in a blood vessel in your brain;
• Angina, which is chest pain brought on by decreased blood flow to the heart muscles;
Some of these disorders may also benefit from the use of angiography to aid in therapy planning.
What happens during angiography
Angiography is done in a hospital X-ray/radiology department.

For the Test:

You lie on an X-ray table and a small cut is made over one of your arteries, typically near your groin or wrist. A local anesthetic is used to numb the area where the cut is made. A very thin flexible tube (also called catheter) is inserted into the artery. The catheter is carefully guided to the area that is being examined (such as the heart). A dye (contrast medium) is injected. You are typically awake but may be given a medication called

The examination may take up to two hours. Usually a few hours after that, you'll be able to return home.

Risks of angiography
Generally speaking, angiography is a painless and safe operation.
However, for a few days or weeks after, it's typical to experience: • bruising • discomfort • a very little lump or collection of blood close to the cut
Additionally, there is a very remote chance of more severe side effects like an allergic reaction to the dye, a stroke, or a heart attack.

A range of diagnostic procedures that doctors might utilize to find blocked or constrictive blood arteries is together referred to as "angiograms."

In order to diagnose or treat some elements of cardiac disease, doctors may perform an angiography on several body areas, including:

• The brain, to assist in identifying a stroke or the likelihood of one

• The kidneys, to check for high pressure in the renal blood arteries; the chest or lungs, for example, to detect bleeding

• After a trauma to the legs, arms, eyes, or any other body part, to identify tears, bleeding, and other issues;

• The reproductive system, during embolization of tubes or fibroids, also called Myomas;

• the liver, for instance, in the case of cancer

• Additionally, angiograms aid in the diagnosis of some cardiovascular disorders, such as:
• Aneurysms; vascular stenosis; coronary atherosclerosis
• A typical angiogram involves the following steps: inserting a catheter, a long, narrow tube, into an artery in the arm, upper thigh, or groin; injecting contrast dye into the catheter; and taking X-rays of the blood vessels.
• On X-ray images, the contrast dye enhances the visibility of blood vessels.
• However, not all angiograms use X-ray technology. MRI and CT scans can both be used by medical professionals to perform angiograms.
• If a patient:
• exhibits indicators of a blocked or narrow artery, such as abnormal stress test findings;

       • has recently or uncharacteristically felt chest pain; had a heart attack, stroke, or heart failure; or has, or may have, additional conditions that could harm the blood vessels.

Heart disease can often be detected through an angiogram. About one out of every four deaths is caused by heart disease, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). dependable source person's chance of dying from heart disease can be reduced with early diagnosis and timely treatment. Angiograms are one of the many tests and treatments that doctors use to diagnose and treat various forms of heart disease.

For the Test:

• A small cut is made in the skin over one of your arteries, usually near your groin or wrist; local anesthetic is used to numb the area so it does not hurt- not at all; a long, thin, flexible tube (catheter) is inserted into the artery and is carefully guided to the area being examined; you might feel some pushing and pulling when this is done, but it should not be painful; a catheter is then removed; and finally, a diagnosis is made. You will typically be awake
• A series of X-rays are taken for this as the dye flows through your blood vessels
• Treatment can occasionally be administered simultaneously, such as when a balloon or tiny tube is inserted to widen a constricted artery. Angioplasty is the term used for this.

The catheter is taken out after the procedure, and pressure is applied to the wound to halt any bleeding. There's no need for stitches.

After angiography

• You'll be escorted to a recovery room after the test, where you'll be instructed to stay still for a while to stop the cut from bleeding.
• The majority of the time, you can return home that same day, though occasionally you might have to spend the night in the hospital.
• It might be feasible to inform you of the test's results prior to your departure. The results of the X-rays, however, are frequently delayed for a few weeks since they need to be carefully examined. While recovering at home:
• Take the rest of the day to rest; it's a good idea to have someone stay with you for at least 24 hours in case you experience any difficulties.
• you can typically resume most of your normal activities the next day, though you might need to forego heavy lifting and strenuous exercise for a few days.
•  Try to eat and drink as soon as you feel ready to do so. The contrast dye then leaves your body in your pee. Drinking plenty of water might help flush it out faster.