Angiography at CritiCare Asia Hospitals, Kurla
Chest pain that keeps returning, or breathlessness with no clear reason, can be a sign that the heart is not getting enough blood. CritiCare Asia Hospitals, a heart hospital in Mumbai, helps patients find out why this is happening and explains every step in plain words. Angiography is an X-ray test that uses a special dye to show the blood vessels of the heart. It lets the cardiologist see whether any vessel is narrowed or blocked, and by how much. Patients can have coronary angiography in Kurla, Mumbai, in our cardiac catheterisation lab, a room set up for heart tests that use a thin tube called a catheter, so that the next step, whether medicines, angioplasty or surgery, rests on a clear picture.
Symptoms That Lead to Angiography
Doctors usually suggest this test when symptoms point to a problem in the heart's blood supply:
Persistent chest pain that keeps coming back, or has no known cause
Breathlessness without an obvious reason
An abnormal result on a treadmill or stress test
Recovery after a heart attack, when the arteries need to be checked
Planning for heart surgery, when the arteries must be mapped first
Reassessment after an earlier stent (a tiny mesh tube that keeps an artery open) or bypass
An angiography test in Kurla, Mumbai is advised only after a cardiologist has looked at your symptoms and history.
What to Know About Cost, Insurance and Arrival
Many patients want to understand the cost before agreeing to a test, and that is a fair question. Our team explains the likely charges and the insurance or cashless options that apply to your policy before the procedure is booked. Our best cardiologist in Kurla, Mumbai, will also explain what the procedure involves, so you arrive knowing what to expect.
Types of Angiography
The same method is used for other parts of the body.
Coronary angiography looks at the arteries of the heart
CT angiogram is a scan-based option that does not need a catheter
Cerebral angiography checks blood vessels in the brain
Renal angiography checks the arteries to the kidneys
Peripheral angiography checks blood flow in the arms and legs
Your cardiologist will choose the type that matches your symptoms.
Getting Ready for the Test
Do not eat or drink for several hours before the test, as your care team instructs
Blood tests check how well your kidneys work and how your blood clots, since both affect how the dye and catheter are handled
Some medicines, such as blood thinners and metformin (a diabetes tablet), may need to be paused for a few days
Instructions differ from person to person, so follow the advice you are given before a heart angiography in Mumbai.
What Happens During the Test
A local anaesthetic numbs a small area, usually at the wrist and sometimes the groin. A thin, soft catheter is then passed through the artery to the heart. Dye flows through it, and X-ray pictures follow the dye through the arteries, showing any narrowing. The test generally takes 20 to 40 minutes. You stay awake. Most people feel a brief sting at first and a short warm feeling when the dye goes in.
After the Test
The catheter is removed, and pressure is held on the site to stop bleeding. You then rest in bed for a while. Drinking plenty of fluids helps clear the dye from your body. The team keeps watch for a few hours before you go home.
Risks to Be Aware Of
Angiography is a well-established and generally safe test. Rare risks include:
A mild allergic reaction to the dye
Bruising or soreness where the catheter went in
Uncommon effects on the kidneys or on blood clotting
We check for these risk factors beforehand and monitor you closely during and after the test.
Results and Treatment Options
A clear result means the arteries are smooth and blood flows freely, so coronary artery disease is not the cause of your symptoms and your doctor looks for other reasons. An abnormal result shows narrowing from plaque, a fatty build-up inside the artery. The report notes where the narrowing is and how severe it is, as a percentage. A coronary angiogram in Mumbai at our hospital guides the next step:
Some blockages can be opened with angioplasty and a stent in the same session
Others are managed with medicines alone
Extensive blockages may need a referral for bypass surgery
After an earlier stent or bypass, the test shows how well that treatment is holding up
Angiography at CritiCare Asia Hospitals, Kurla
Our cardiology team goes through your results with you in simple language and tells you what they mean for your daily life. Whether the answer is reassurance, a change of medicines or a procedure such as angioplasty, you will know the reason and the options before any decision is made. To book an angiography consultation at our Kurla facility, contact our cardiology team.