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5. What happens during the procedure?

Primarily, doctors perform angiography to determine the number and percentages of blockages in your heart’s arteries and blood vessels. It is one of a group of procedures doctors call cardiac catheterizations, used for both diagnosis and treatment. After the doctor injects a special dye into the vessels, the procedure uses an x-ray to see if there is any restriction in blood flowing to your heart.

The catheter goes into your arm or wrist or, if necessary, into an artery in your leg near the groin. Doctors push the catheter through the entry artery to the area that is believed to be problematic. In some cases, patients feel nauseated or get a slight headache, but these symptoms fade quickly. At some point during this procedure, your doctor will determine whether you need angioplasty to repair or unblock the blood vessel right away.

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Sutthaburawonk / Getty Images

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