Angiogram

An X-ray test that uses a dye (contrast) and a fine tube passed into a blood vessel to show up the arteries or veins and find narrowings, blockages, bulges or bleeding.

✓ Medically reviewed by a GMC-registered consultant · last reviewed September 2026 · next review September 2027 · how we review

In short

An angiogram is a test that shows up your blood vessels using dye and X-rays; it diagnoses problems but is not itself a cure.
Access is through a small puncture in an artery at the wrist or groin under local anaesthetic, not a large surgical cut.
A CT or MRI angiogram can answer many of the same questions without a catheter, so ask whether a less invasive scan would do.
Serious complications are very rare, but the contrast dye and the puncture site carry small risks worth understanding before you agree.

A plain-English summary. The detail — including risks and recovery — is below.

At a glance

TypeImage-guided diagnostic test

AnaestheticLocal anaesthetic at the puncture site, sometimes with sedation

How long it takesAbout 30 minutes to 2 hours

Hospital stayDay case; usually home the same day after a few hours' rest

Time off workOften a day or two off; avoid heavy lifting and driving briefly

When you'll see resultsPictures are reviewed at the time; a full report and plan usually follow soon after

On the NHS?Widely available on the NHS when there is a clinical reason; private access is often used for speed or choice

A general guide. Your radiologist will give you advice for your situation.

Best fit

Gives detailed, real-time pictures of the blood vessels to find narrowings, blockages, aneurysms or bleeding

Pause if

A severe, unmanaged allergy to contrast dye where a catheter angiogram is not essential.

Main recovery point

You are awake but may be relaxed with sedation. You feel pressure and a warm flush from the dye but the puncture itself is numb.

Good aftercare

Clear written warning signs for the puncture site and a delayed dye reaction, with a named contact number.

During the test

You are awake but may be relaxed with sedation. You feel pressure and a warm flush from the dye but the puncture...

First few hours

You lie still, often flat, so the artery seals. Staff check the puncture site, your pulse and blood pressure. Most...

First 24-48 hours

Bruising and tenderness at the puncture site are normal. Avoid heavy lifting, straining and strenuous activity...

Days to 1 week

Bruising fades. The puncture site should look settled. Any spreading redness, swelling or a pulsating lump should...

Medical line illustration of coronary angiography stent for Angiogram. — Illustration only - not a diagnosis, medical advice or a promise of result. Your anatomy and treatment plan may differ. Vuemedics does not publish before-and-after photos.

What is an angiogram?

An angiogram is a type of X-ray that uses a dye, called contrast, to show up the inside of your blood vessels. A doctor called an interventional radiologist (or a cardiologist for the heart) makes a tiny puncture in an artery, usually at the wrist or the top of the leg, and passes a very thin tube called a catheter up to the area being looked at. The dye is injected through the tube and a series of X-ray pictures is taken as it flows through the vessels.

It is a test, not a treatment. It is used to find narrowed, blocked, bulging (aneurysm) or leaking blood vessels, to look at the blood supply to an organ, or to plan an operation or a keyhole procedure. Sometimes a problem is treated at the same sitting, for example opening a narrowed artery, but a purely diagnostic angiogram only takes pictures.

There is no big surgical cut. Access is through a small needle puncture in the skin, numbed with local anaesthetic. You are usually awake, though you may be offered a mild sedative to help you relax. Many blood-vessel questions can now be answered with a CT or MRI scan instead, which need no catheter, so your team should explain why a catheter angiogram is the right test for you.

Types, options & approaches

There may be different ways to do this. The right approach depends on the clinical question and your circumstances.

Catheter angiogram (DSA)

The traditional test: a catheter is passed into an artery and dye is injected while X-ray pictures are taken. It gives very detailed, moving images and allows treatment at the same time if needed.

Coronary angiogram

Looks at the arteries supplying the heart muscle, usually via the wrist. Often done to investigate chest pain or after a heart attack, and may lead straight on to a stent.

Cerebral angiogram

Looks at the blood vessels of the brain and neck, for example to investigate an aneurysm or a stroke. Carries a small specific risk of stroke from the catheter itself.

Peripheral angiogram

Looks at the arteries of the legs, arms, kidneys or gut, for example in poor circulation or before bypass surgery.

CT or MRI angiogram

A scan that shows blood vessels without a catheter. The dye is given through a small cannula in a vein (or, for some MRI scans, no dye at all). Less invasive, but the pictures and treatment options differ from a catheter test.

Catheter angiogram vs CT/MRI angiogram

Point	Catheter angiogram	CT/MRI angiogram
How vessels are reached	Tube into an artery	Dye into a vein, or no dye
Invasiveness	Small artery puncture	Cannula in the arm only
Treat at same time?	Often yes	No, it only takes pictures
Main extra risks	Puncture bleeding, vessel injury	Mainly contrast and radiation

Your team chooses the test based on the question being asked and your kidney function, allergies and circulation. Ask why this test rather than the alternative.

Preparing for your test

Tell the team about any allergies, especially to contrast dye or iodine, and about asthma, as these affect how the dye is given.
Tell them about kidney problems and diabetes; a blood test may be done first because the dye passes through the kidneys.
List all your medicines, including blood thinners (such as warfarin, apixaban or clopidogrel) and metformin, as some may be paused around the test.
You may be asked not to eat for a few hours beforehand, especially if sedation is planned; you can usually drink water.
Arrange a lift home and someone to stay overnight if you have sedation, as you should not drive immediately.
Tell the team if you are or might be pregnant, because X-rays use radiation.
Wear or bring comfortable clothing and expect to change into a gown.

What happens

You lie on an X-ray table and the skin over the wrist or groin is cleaned and numbed with local anaesthetic. The radiologist makes a small puncture into the artery and passes a fine catheter up to the area being studied, watching its progress on a screen.

Dye is injected through the catheter and you may feel a warm flush or a brief sensation of needing to pass water as it spreads; this passes quickly. Several X-ray pictures are taken. You need to keep still and may be asked to hold your breath for a moment.

At the end, the catheter is removed and the puncture is pressed firmly for several minutes, or sealed with a small closure device, to stop bleeding. You then lie still and flat for a few hours so the artery seals. The pictures are reviewed at the time and the findings discussed with you, with a full report to follow.

Is this test right for me?

A good consultation should explore whether it's the right choice for you now — including reasons to wait or consider something else.

May not be suitable if…

A severe, unmanaged allergy to contrast dye where a catheter angiogram is not essential.
Severe kidney impairment where the dye load could cause harm and an alternative test would do.
A bleeding tendency or blood-thinning that cannot be safely adjusted for an arterial puncture.
When a CT or MRI angiogram, ultrasound or blood test would answer the question with less risk.

Delay or rearrange if…

You have an active infection, especially at the planned puncture site.
You might be pregnant, as the test uses X-ray radiation.
Your kidney blood tests are abnormal and need optimising first.
Blood thinners have not been adjusted, or recent results are missing.
You cannot arrange a lift home or overnight support after sedation.

Alternatives to discuss

CT angiography or MR angiography, which avoid an arterial catheter.
Doppler ultrasound for some limb, neck or kidney vessels.
A functional test (such as a stress test) before deciding on a heart angiogram.
Watchful waiting or medical treatment if the result would not change management.

Before you decide

Use this as a shared-decision checklist. The aim is not just “can this be done?”, but whether it is right for you, now, with the risks and alternatives clearly understood.

What matters most to me?

Think about symptoms, daily life, work, caring responsibilities, sport, fertility, travel, appearance and anxiety — the right choice depends on your priorities, not just the medical facts.

What are all my options?

Ask about waiting, monitoring, medicines, rehabilitation, a smaller or larger procedure, a different test, NHS referral, or a second opinion where that would help.

What would make me pause?

Active infection, pregnancy, unstable medical problems, smoking, medicines that increase bleeding, poor support at home, or feeling pressured are all reasons to slow down and get tailored advice.

What happens if I do nothing today?

For some problems, waiting is safe; for others, delay can make treatment harder. A good consultation should explain the trade-off in plain English.

Comfort, sedation or contrast choices

If local anaesthetic, sedation, contrast or pain relief is used, ask what is planned, why, and what it means afterwards.

Local anaesthetic

Numbs the wrist or groin puncture site. Most diagnostic angiograms are done this way with you awake.

Local anaesthetic with sedation

A mild sedative through a vein helps anxious patients or longer procedures. You will need a lift home and overnight support.

Benefits

Gives detailed, real-time pictures of the blood vessels to find narrowings, blockages, aneurysms or bleeding
Can show the exact site and severity of a problem to guide treatment
Allows some problems to be treated in the same sitting, such as opening a narrowed artery
Helps plan surgery or keyhole procedures accurately
Can confirm that vessels are normal and avoid an unnecessary operation

Risks & complications

More common

Bruising, soreness or a small lump of blood (haematoma) at the puncture site, which usually settles over days
A warm flushing feeling or a brief sensation of passing water when the dye is injected
Tenderness in the wrist or groin for a day or two

Less common

A larger collection of blood needing pressure, or rarely a small repair
A mild allergic reaction to the dye, such as a rash or itching, usually settled with medicine
Temporary kidney upset from the dye, more likely if the kidneys are already weak
Infection at the puncture site needing antibiotics

Rare but serious

A serious allergic (anaphylactic) reaction to the dye
Damage to the artery, a false aneurysm or a clot needing further treatment
Heart attack or stroke, particularly with heart or brain angiograms
Very rarely, an effect on the kidneys or, with heart and brain tests, a life-threatening event

Most people have no complications and serious events are very rare. The main things to discuss are your kidney function, any contrast or iodine allergy, and which medicines to pause. For brain and heart angiograms there is a small specific risk of stroke or heart attack from the catheter itself, so ask your team to put your personal risk in plain numbers and explain whether a CT or MRI scan could answer the question instead.

Published figures to discuss

Risk depends heavily on which vessels are studied, the access site, your age and how healthy your heart, brain and kidneys are. The figures below come from UK patient information for heart and brain angiograms and are cautious; your own risk may be higher or lower, so ask your team to personalise it.

Figure	Reported range	How to interpret it	Source / confidence
Serious complication (heart angiogram)	Less than about 1 in 1,000 overall in UK patient information	Includes events such as heart attack or stroke; risk is higher if the heart is already significantly diseased.	NHS - Angiography risksnhs.ukPublished figure
Damage to the punctured artery	Around 1 in 500 in some UK patient information	Includes a false aneurysm or clot; may need pressure, an injection or, rarely, repair.	NHS - Angiography risksnhs.ukPublished figure
Death related to a heart angiogram	Around 1 in 10,000 in UK patient information	Very rare and concentrated in people who are already seriously unwell.	NHS - Angiography risksnhs.ukPublished figure

These are literature figures, not a personalised prediction. Your own risks and likely benefits depend on your circumstances, your health, and how your care is carried out and followed up.

What happens afterwards

There is no surgical wound to heal, but the artery puncture needs time to seal. Most people rest in the unit for a few hours and go home the same day, with a small dressing over the puncture.

During the test

You are awake but may be relaxed with sedation. You feel pressure and a warm flush from the dye but the puncture itself is numb.

First few hours

You lie still, often flat, so the artery seals. Staff check the puncture site, your pulse and blood pressure. Most people then go home.

First 24-48 hours

Bruising and tenderness at the puncture site are normal. Avoid heavy lifting, straining and strenuous activity, and follow advice on driving.

Days to 1 week

Bruising fades. The puncture site should look settled. Any spreading redness, swelling or a pulsating lump should be checked.

Results and follow-up

Initial findings are usually shared on the day; a full report and a treatment plan follow, sometimes at a clinic appointment.

What's normal — and not a worry

Bruising and a small firm lump at the wrist or groin puncture site
Mild soreness or stiffness in the arm or leg for a day or two
Feeling a little tired, especially if you had sedation
Waiting a short while for the full report and the plan it leads to

Aftercare

Keep the puncture site clean and dry and leave the dressing on as advised.
Avoid heavy lifting, bending, straining and strenuous exercise for the time your team specifies (often a day or two).
Do not drive until you are advised it is safe, especially after sedation.
Drink plenty of fluids to help flush the dye through your kidneys, unless told otherwise.
Restart paused medicines, such as metformin or blood thinners, only when your team tells you to.
Press the site and seek help if it starts to bleed; lie down and apply firm pressure first.
Keep any follow-up appointment so the results and plan are explained.

Before your test

A lift home and, if you had sedation, someone to stay overnight
Time off arranged for the day of the test and ideally the next
A list of which medicines to stop and when to restart them
The unit's contact number for the puncture site or dye reaction
Comfortable clothing that is easy to manage over a dressing
A note of any allergies to show the team

⚠ Get urgent help if…

Fresh or heavy bleeding from the puncture site (lie down, press firmly and call for help)
A rapidly swelling, painful or pulsating lump at the puncture site
The arm, hand, leg or foot beyond the puncture becoming cold, pale, numb or very painful
Spreading redness, heat, swelling or discharge at the site, with or without fever
Chest pain, breathlessness, sudden weakness, slurred speech or facial droop (call 999)
A rash, swelling of the face or lips, or wheeze that could signal a delayed dye reaction
Passing much less urine than usual in the days after the test

Who to contact: your clinician, clinic or test provider first (keep their number to hand). For urgent advice when you can't reach them, call NHS 111. In an emergency, call 999.

General guidance — it doesn't replace the specific advice your radiologist gives you.

Results & realistic expectations

The pictures show how blood is flowing and reveal narrowings, blockages, bulges or bleeding. Initial findings are usually discussed on the day, with a full report soon after. The result guides what happens next, which might be medicine, a keyhole procedure, surgery or simple monitoring.

A normal angiogram is reassuring about the vessels that were studied, but it cannot rule out every problem elsewhere and reflects only that moment. Your team will explain what the findings do and do not prove for your situation.

How long it lasts

An angiogram is a snapshot of your blood vessels at the time of the test. If your symptoms change or new ones develop, the picture may no longer apply and a repeat or different test may be needed. Any treatment that follows, such as a stent, has its own follow-up and durability.

Related tests, treatments or support

An angiogram is often part of a wider work-up that may include blood tests, an ultrasound, an ECG or a CT or MRI scan. In some cases treatment, such as angioplasty and stenting or embolisation, is carried out in the same sitting once the diagnostic pictures are seen, but this should be discussed and consented in advance.

Follow-up & long-term care

You will usually be given initial results before you leave, with a full report sent to the doctor who arranged the test. A clinic appointment, phone call or letter normally follows to explain the findings and agree a plan. Report any puncture-site problem or delayed dye reaction straight away.

Repeat, follow-on and what comes next

An angiogram can be inconclusive, so a repeat or a different test is sometimes needed.
A treatment carried out in the same sitting, such as a stent, may itself need follow-up or a further procedure.
Findings reflect the moment of the test; new or changing symptoms may need fresh imaging.

Ask what happens if the result is unclear or needs repeating, and what is included if further tests or follow-up are needed.

What good aftercare looks like

Clear written warning signs for the puncture site and a delayed dye reaction, with a named contact number.
Instructions on activity, driving and when to restart medicines such as metformin and blood thinners.
A clear plan for receiving the full report and discussing what it means.
Advice on fluids and kidney protection, especially if your kidneys are already weak.

What affects the cost

Costs vary a great deal between people and providers, and we don't publish prices. What matters is understanding what drives the cost and making sure your quote is complete. The main things that affect it:

Whether it is a catheter angiogram or a CT or MRI angiogram
Which area is being studied and how complex the vessels are
Use of contrast dye and any pre-test kidney blood tests
Whether sedation is used and how much monitoring is needed
Whether treatment (such as a stent) is carried out at the same time, which is a separate, larger cost
The radiologist's fee, the imaging facility fee and any follow-up consultation

Make sure your written quote includes

The radiologist's (or cardiologist's) fee and the facility fee
Contrast dye, any pre-test blood tests and sedation if used
Whether the report and a follow-up consultation are included
What happens, and what it costs, if treatment is needed in the same sitting
The policy if the test is inconclusive and needs repeating
What is covered if a complication needs further care

On the NHS? Diagnostic angiograms are widely available on the NHS when clinically indicated; private access is generally used for speed, choice or a second opinion rather than because the test is unavailable.

You're entitled to your total cost in writing — including reports, follow-up and what happens if the result is inconclusive — before you decide.

Choosing a specialist safely

Check the radiologist is on the GMC Specialist Register for this area.
Make sure they work at a CQC-registered service, and look for membership of the relevant Royal College or professional body.
You're entitled to time to consider and to have your questions answered before you agree — the radiologist who looks after you should explain it, not a salesperson.
Be wary of pressure: time-limited offers or deposits taken before you've had time to think are red flags, not bargains.
You're entitled to your total cost in writing — including any follow-up — before you decide.

How Vuemedics verifies every consultant →

Questions to ask your medical professional

Take this to your consultation. A good radiologist will welcome every one of these.

Why is a catheter angiogram better than a CT or MRI scan for my problem?
What is my personal risk, in plain numbers, given my health and the area being studied?
Will you treat anything you find during the test, and have I consented to that?
Which of my medicines should I stop, and when should I restart them?
How will my kidneys and any dye allergy be looked after?
What will the result change about my treatment, and what happens if it is normal?
Are you on the GMC Specialist Register for this area, and which Royal College or professional body are you a member of?
Will you be the radiologist who carries out my test, and who looks after me afterwards?
What are the risks for someone like me, and how often do your own patients have a problem or need it repeated or redone?
What does a realistic result look like — and what can this test not achieve?
What are my options, including waiting, doing nothing for now, or choosing a different approach?
Can I have written information, results and aftercare instructions in a format I can use, including any accessibility or communication support I need?
What is the total cost in writing, including any follow-ups, and how much time do I have to decide?

Frequently asked questions

Is an angiogram available on the NHS?

Yes. Diagnostic angiograms are widely done on the NHS when there is a clinical reason. People sometimes choose a private test for speed, choice of timing or a second opinion.

Does it hurt?

The puncture site is numbed with local anaesthetic, so you mainly feel pressure. The dye can give a brief warm flush or a feeling of passing water. Afterwards the site may be sore and bruised for a day or two.

Could I just have a CT or MRI scan instead?

Sometimes. CT and MRI angiograms answer many vessel questions without a catheter. A catheter angiogram gives more detail and allows treatment at the same time, so ask your team which is right for your question.

Will the contrast dye harm my kidneys?

For most people any effect is small and temporary. The risk is higher if your kidneys are already weak, so a blood test may be done first and you may be given extra fluids. Tell the team about kidney problems and diabetes.

When can I drive again?

Not on the day if you had sedation, and you should follow your team's advice on the puncture site. They will tell you when it is safe.

What if a problem is found during the test?

Sometimes a narrowed artery or other problem can be treated in the same sitting. This should be discussed and agreed beforehand so you know what you are consenting to.

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How we made this page

Medically reviewed by a GMC-registered consultant. Written in plain English, checked against NHS, NICE, GMC and relevant Royal College / specialist-society guidance, and kept under review. No clinic paid to appear on this page, and we publish no pricing. This is general information to help you prepare — it is not a substitute for advice from your own clinician. How we review our guides →

Source hierarchy: UK regulator and NHS/NICE guidance first, then relevant Royal College or specialist-society guidance, then peer-reviewed evidence for procedure-specific figures where available.

Sources & standards: NHS - Angiography NHS - Angiography risks NHS - Coronary angiography NHS - Coronary angiography risks BSIR - What is interventional radiology? RadiologyInfo - Catheter angiography

Reviews reflect patients' experience of care, not clinical outcomes. For procedure volumes and outcome data see PHIN.

Last medically reviewed 2026-09-21. Spotted something wrong or out of date? Report an error in this guide.