Who Needs Coronary Angiography?

Coronary angiography is a test for coronary artery disease (CAD). Your may need coronary angiography if you have signs or symptoms of CAD. These include:

• Angina. This is unexplained pain or pressure in your chest. This chest discomfort may only happen when you're active.
• Sudden cardiac arrest. This is when your heart suddenly and unexpectedly stops beating.
• Results from an EKG (electrocardiogram), exercise stress test, or other test that suggest you have heart disease.

You also may need coronary angiography on an emergency basis if you're having a heart attack. This test combined with a procedure called angioplasty can open the blocked artery causing the heart attack and prevent further damage to your heart.

Coronary angiography also can help your doctor decide how to treat CAD after a heart attack. This is especially true if the heart attack caused major damage to your heart, or if you're still having chest pain.