Coronary Angiography
Coronary angiography is an X-ray imaging test that uses contrast dye injected through a thin catheter to show the arteries supplying the heart. It detects and pinpoints narrowing or blockages caused by coronary artery disease, explains chest pain or abnormal stress tests, and guides whether a stent or bypass surgery is needed.
Medically reviewed by the Florence Healthcare medical team · Last reviewed June 2026
Overview
Coronary angiography, performed in a cardiac catheterisation laboratory, is the most accurate way to assess the arteries that supply blood to the heart muscle. A cardiologist inserts a fine, flexible catheter into an artery in the wrist or groin and guides it to the heart. Contrast dye is injected and a series of X-ray images (an angiogram) shows the arteries in detail, revealing any narrowing or blockage and exactly where it is. The test is used to investigate chest pain (angina), abnormal stress-test results, breathlessness or after a heart attack, and the findings guide whether medication, a stent (angioplasty) or bypass surgery is the best treatment. In many cases a blockage can be treated with a stent during the same session.
International cardiac patients are supported by a dedicated coordinator who arranges scheduling, interpreter services and pre-procedure tests. Our cardiology team can review your existing ECGs, echocardiograms, stress tests and prior angiograms remotely before you travel, advise whether the test is appropriate, and provide a transparent, itemised cost estimate in advance, including the possibility of stenting in the same sitting.
Who is a candidate?
- Chest pain or angina suggesting reduced blood flow to the heart muscle
- An abnormal stress test, ECG or cardiac CT that needs confirmation
- After a heart attack or unstable cardiac symptoms requiring urgent assessment
- Unexplained breathlessness or reduced heart pumping function (heart failure)
- Planning before heart valve surgery or other major cardiac procedures
- Known coronary artery disease where symptoms have changed or worsened
What happens
- 1
Preparation
You fast for a few hours beforehand and have blood tests and an ECG. Tell the team about kidney problems, diabetes medication, blood thinners or contrast allergies, as these may need adjusting or extra precautions. A small area at the wrist or groin is cleaned and prepared for access.
- 2
Access and comfort
Lying on the X-ray table, you are awake but relaxed, sometimes with mild sedation. Local anaesthetic numbs the wrist or groin where the catheter is inserted, so you should feel only brief pressure rather than pain. Your heart rhythm and blood pressure are monitored throughout.
- 3
During the procedure
The cardiologist gently guides the catheter through the artery to the heart and injects contrast dye while taking X-ray images. You may feel a brief warm flush as the dye is injected. The images show each coronary artery and any narrowing or blockage clearly.
- 4
Treatment in the same session
If a significant blockage is found, the cardiologist may treat it immediately with balloon angioplasty and a stent to restore blood flow, after discussing it with you. Alternatively, the findings may guide a recommendation for bypass surgery or medication.
- 5
Afterwards & results
The catheter is removed, and the site is sealed or pressure is applied. You rest under monitoring for a few hours, longer if the groin was used, and most patients go home the same day. The cardiologist reviews the images and discusses the findings and treatment plan with you the same day, drinking plenty of fluids helps clear the dye.
Benefits
- The most accurate way to detect and precisely locate coronary artery blockages
- Clarifies the cause of chest pain and abnormal stress tests
- Directly guides the choice between medication, stenting and bypass surgery
- A blockage can often be treated with a stent in the same session
- Minimally invasive with same-day discharge in most cases
- Provides detailed information before valve or other heart surgery
Risks & considerations
- Bruising, bleeding or soreness at the wrist or groin access site
- A brief warm flush or, rarely, an allergic reaction to the contrast dye
- Temporary effect on kidney function from the dye, especially with existing kidney disease
- Irregular heart rhythm during the procedure, usually transient
- Rare serious complications including damage to the artery, heart attack or stroke
Conditions this treats
Where it is performed
This procedure is delivered by our Heart Center.
Learn more before you decide
Provider-reviewed guides on the related conditions, symptoms and tests in our Health Library.
Coronary Angiography — frequently asked questions
Yes, you are usually awake but relaxed, sometimes with mild sedation. The access site at the wrist or groin is numbed with local anaesthetic, so you feel pressure rather than pain. You may notice a brief warm flush when the dye is injected.
Often, yes. If a significant blockage is found, the cardiologist can usually treat it with balloon angioplasty and a stent during the same procedure, after discussing it with you. Sometimes the findings instead point to bypass surgery or medication.
Contrast dye is used routinely and is generally safe. It can briefly affect kidney function, particularly in people with existing kidney disease or diabetes, so the team checks your kidneys beforehand and takes precautions such as good hydration. Tell us about any previous reaction to contrast.
Most patients go home the same day after a few hours of monitored rest, with longer observation if the groin was used. You should avoid heavy lifting and strenuous activity for a few days and follow the site-care advice given to you.
Yes. Our cardiology team can review your ECGs, echocardiograms, stress tests and any previous angiograms remotely before you arrive, advise whether angiography is appropriate, and plan whether stenting may be done in the same session.
The cost depends on whether treatment such as stenting is performed in the same session and the length of stay. After a remote review of your records we provide a transparent, itemised personalised estimate before you travel, covering the diagnostic test and any planned stenting.
Related treatments
Considering coronary angiography?
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