What is a Cardiac Cath? (MWHC)

As mentioned before, you won’t be asleep during the procedure, but you will get medication to make you comfortable.

During a cardiac cath, the doctor will look at the arteries bringing oxygen to your heart. They do this by putting a long, thin tube, called a catheter, into one of your arteries. This tube lets them inject dye into the vessels of your heart, so they can see them on an X-ray video. You may feel a warm, flush, feeling as the dye flows through your body, which is common.

When the doctor looks at each artery, it may be clear, or it may be partially blocked, and a stent can help open it up. If the doctor thinks a stent is not the best way to open the artery, they may talk to you about other options.