An angiogram is an X-ray test to detect any enlargement, narrowing or blockages in the blood vessels. The lungs, heart, brain, neck, legs and arms are common areas of concentration during an angiogram.

You will be asked to lie on a table and a radiologist will administer a local anesthetic – usually into the groin (but sometimes through the arm). A catheter (small tube) is then pushed into a blood vessel in the groin, and passed through your body up to the suspected blood vessel(s); you will not be able to feel this. A special dye is then injected into the catheter so that specific blood vessels can be easily seen on the X-ray pictures, which are taken following the injection. The catheter is then removed and the wound bandaged. During the angiogram you will be continually observed on a heart monitor.