This is a test used to check if there are any blockages in the arteries that supply blood to your heart.

During the procedure, doctors use a special dye (called contrast) that shows up on X-ray. A thin, flexible tube called a catheter is inserted into a blood vessel, usually in your wrist or groin, and gently guided to your heart. The dye is then injected so the heart’s blood vessels can be clearly seen on X-ray images.

This test allows doctors to see if there are any narrowings or blockages in the heart arteries. These problems can cause chest pain (angina), heart disease, or even a heart attack.

The results help doctors decide on the best treatment. Some people may need a balloon procedure (angioplasty) and possibly a stent to open the blockage. Others, especially those with several blockages, may need heart bypass surgery (often called open-heart surgery).

Coronary Angioplasty

This is a procedure used to open a blocked heart artery.

First, a very small balloon on the tip of a thin tube is placed at the area of blockage. The balloon is gently inflated to push the buildup (plaque) against the wall of the artery. This helps widen the artery and improve blood flow to the heart.

After that, a small mesh tube called a stent is usually placed in the same spot. The stent stays inside the artery to help keep it open and prevent it from narrowing or collapsing again.