Student reflection

The angiogram procedure is meant for people with cardiovascular problems The purpose of this procedure is examined the heart and identify any usual activity within the heart and if there is anything that needs to be done to correct the heart movement. A small cut is made in the skin over 1 of your arteries, usually near your groin or wrist and a local anesthseic is used to numb the area so it does not hurt. A long, thin, flexible tube (catheter) is inserted into the artery and is carefully guided to the area being examined and the patient may feel some pushing and pulling when this is done, but it should not be painful. A special dye (contrast agent) is injected through the catheter and a series of X rays are taken as the dye flows through your blood vessels. Sometimes treatment may be done at the same time, such as inserting a balloon or a small tube to open a narrowed artery. This is known as angioplasty.

After the procedure, the catheter is removed and pressure is placed on the cut to stop any bleeding. Stitches are not needed.

Practice Supervisor’s comments:

Philomena has finished her angiogram recovery exposure