Intro to Angiograms, Angioplasty & Coronary Bypass Grafting

What is an angiogram?

An angiogram is a special test to look at blood vessels.

Doctors use it to see if your heart and blood vessels are healthy.

During the test, doctors use a camera and a special dye.

The dye helps them see the blood vessels better.

If you have trouble reading, you can ask someone to help you understand.

You can also use tools like audio books or videos for more help.

Why does a doctor say you need an angiogram?

An angiogram is a special test. It helps doctors see inside your heart and blood vessels (the tubes that carry blood). A doctor may say you need an angiogram to check for problems like blockages.

Here’s why you might need an angiogram:

• You have chest pain.
• You feel short of breath.
• The doctor thinks there might be a blockage in your blood vessels.
• They want to see how blood is flowing in your heart.

Sometimes doctors suggest using a special tool, like pictures, to explain things better. If you find reading hard, ask someone to read the information to you or use an audio tool.

How do I get ready for an angiogram?

Here is how you can get ready for an angiogram:

• Ask a friend or family member to come with you.
• Do not eat or drink for 6 hours before the test. This means no food or drinks.
• Tell your doctor about any medicine you take.
• If you have allergies, tell the doctor. Some people are allergic to the dye used in the test.
• Wear comfy clothes. You might be asked to wear a hospital gown.

These tips can help you feel ready and calm for the test. If you have questions, talk to your doctor or nurse. They are there to help you.

How do doctors do an angiogram?

A doctor does an angiogram to see inside blood vessels.

Here is what happens:

• You go to the hospital.
• The doctor gives you medicine to make you sleepy.
• The doctor puts a small tube in a blood vessel.
• The doctor puts a special dye through the tube.
• A camera takes pictures of your blood vessels.
• The doctor uses the pictures to check your health.

You can bring someone with you for support.

You can ask the doctor any questions you have.

What are the risks of an angiogram?

What is angioplasty?

Angioplasty is a medical treatment to help your heart.

If your blood vessels are too narrow or blocked, doctors use a small balloon to open them up. This helps blood flow better.

Doctors sometimes put a tiny tube, called a stent, inside the blood vessel. The stent helps keep it open.

If you find reading difficult, pictures or videos can help you understand better. Also, a friend or family member can explain things to you.

Why might someone need angioplasty?

Sometimes, the tubes that carry blood in our body get too narrow. This can make it hard for blood to flow. Angioplasty is a special way to open these tubes, so blood can move easily.

Doctors do this to help people feel better and have more energy.

To learn more, you can ask your doctor or look at pictures and videos that show how it works.

What kinds of stents are used in angioplasty?

Stents are tiny tubes doctors put inside blood vessels to keep them open. They help blood flow easily through the body.

Here are the main types of stents:

• Metal Stents: These are made of metal and are the most common. They are like a small wire cage.
• Coated Stents: These stents have a special medicine on them. The medicine helps stop the blood vessel from getting blocked again.

If you find it hard to read, you can ask someone to read with you. You can also use text-to-speech tools that read the text out loud.

Will angioplasty fix the problem forever?

How long does it take to get better after angioplasty?

Angioplasty is a heart procedure. It helps blood flow better.

Most people start to feel better in a week. You might go home the day after the procedure.

You should rest and avoid lifting heavy things for a while. Your doctor will tell you when you can go back to normal activities.

It is important to follow your doctor's advice. Eating healthy food and doing light exercises can help.

Tools like calendars can remind you of check-ups. A family member or friend can help you remember instructions.

What is heart bypass surgery (CABG)?

Heart bypass surgery is an operation. It helps blood go around a blocked or narrow part of the heart. This surgery is called CABG, which stands for Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting.

Here is how it works:

• The doctor takes a healthy blood vessel from another part of your body.
• They use it to make a new road for blood to flow around the blockage in your heart.

Things that can help you remember:

• Think of your heart like a busy road.
• If the road is blocked, the doctor makes a new road.

Tips for understanding:

• Use simple drawings to see how the heart and blood vessels work.
• Ask someone to explain new words.
• Take your time to learn.

Ask your doctor if you have more questions!

When do doctors say to have CABG?

CABG is a type of heart surgery that helps blood flow better. Doctors might say to have CABG if:

• Your heart's blood vessels are very narrow or blocked.
• You have strong chest pain (also called angina) that doesn't go away with medicine.
• The heart isn't getting enough blood and you might have a heart attack.

Doctors decide if you need CABG by looking at your heart's health. You might do tests or talk with a heart doctor.

It is helpful to ask questions if you do not understand. Bringing a family member or friend can help, too.

How is Heart Bypass Surgery Done?

Heart bypass surgery is a special surgery. It helps blood move around a blocked part of the heart. Here is how doctors do it:

• First, doctors give the patient medicine to make them sleep. This way, the patient does not feel pain.
• Then, doctors take a healthy blood vessel from another part of the patient’s body. This blood vessel is used to make a new path for blood.
• Next, doctors attach this new blood vessel to the heart. This makes blood go around the blocked part.
• Finally, they make sure everything is working well before waking the patient up.

To learn more, you can:

• Ask the doctor questions.
• Watch simple videos about heart surgery.
• Read books with pictures about how the heart works.

What are the risks of heart bypass surgery?

Heart bypass surgery, also called CABG, is a big operation to help your heart. But like all surgeries, there are some risks. Here are some risks you should know about:

• Bleeding: You might bleed more than usual during or after surgery.
• Infection: You might get germs that can make you sick after surgery.
• Heart attack: Sometimes, the heart can have trouble during or after surgery.
• Stroke: This is when blood can’t get to parts of your brain.
• Breathing problems: Some people find it hard to breathe after surgery.

It’s important to talk to your doctor about these risks. They can explain what might happen and how they help keep you safe. You can also have a family member or friend with you to ask questions. If it helps, use pictures or write notes to understand better.

What happens after heart surgery?

Having heart surgery is a big deal! After the operation, you will need time to get better. This is called recovery.

Here’s what you can expect during recovery:

• Rest: Your body needs plenty of rest to heal. Make sure you sleep well.
• Follow doctor’s advice: Listen to what your doctor tells you. They will help you get better.
• Healthy food: Eating good food helps your body heal. Try to eat fruits and vegetables.
• Mild exercise: Your doctor might ask you to do easy exercises. This helps you get stronger.

If you can, try these helpful ideas:

• Use an alarm to remind you to take medicine.
• Ask a family member or friend to help you with your daily tasks.
• Write down any questions you have for your doctor so you can remember to ask them.

Remember, everyone’s recovery is different. Take your time, and be patient with yourself.

What is an angiogram?

An angiogram is a special test to look at blood vessels.

Doctors use it to see if your heart and blood vessels are healthy.

During the test, doctors use a camera and a special dye.

The dye helps them see the blood vessels better.

If you have trouble reading, you can ask someone to help you understand.

You can also use tools like audio books or videos for more help.

Why does a doctor say you need an angiogram?

An angiogram is a special test. It helps doctors see inside your heart and blood vessels (the tubes that carry blood). A doctor may say you need an angiogram to check for problems like blockages.

Here’s why you might need an angiogram:

• You have chest pain.
• You feel short of breath.
• The doctor thinks there might be a blockage in your blood vessels.
• They want to see how blood is flowing in your heart.

Sometimes doctors suggest using a special tool, like pictures, to explain things better. If you find reading hard, ask someone to read the information to you or use an audio tool.

How do I get ready for an angiogram?

Here is how you can get ready for an angiogram:

• Ask a friend or family member to come with you.
• Do not eat or drink for 6 hours before the test. This means no food or drinks.
• Tell your doctor about any medicine you take.
• If you have allergies, tell the doctor. Some people are allergic to the dye used in the test.
• Wear comfy clothes. You might be asked to wear a hospital gown.

These tips can help you feel ready and calm for the test. If you have questions, talk to your doctor or nurse. They are there to help you.

How do doctors do an angiogram?

A doctor does an angiogram to see inside blood vessels.

Here is what happens:

• You go to the hospital.
• The doctor gives you medicine to make you sleepy.
• The doctor puts a small tube in a blood vessel.
• The doctor puts a special dye through the tube.
• A camera takes pictures of your blood vessels.
• The doctor uses the pictures to check your health.

You can bring someone with you for support.

You can ask the doctor any questions you have.

What are the risks of an angiogram?

What is angioplasty?

Angioplasty is a medical treatment to help your heart.

If your blood vessels are too narrow or blocked, doctors use a small balloon to open them up. This helps blood flow better.

Doctors sometimes put a tiny tube, called a stent, inside the blood vessel. The stent helps keep it open.

If you find reading difficult, pictures or videos can help you understand better. Also, a friend or family member can explain things to you.

Why might someone need angioplasty?

Sometimes, the tubes that carry blood in our body get too narrow. This can make it hard for blood to flow. Angioplasty is a special way to open these tubes, so blood can move easily.

Doctors do this to help people feel better and have more energy.

To learn more, you can ask your doctor or look at pictures and videos that show how it works.

What kinds of stents are used in angioplasty?

Stents are tiny tubes doctors put inside blood vessels to keep them open. They help blood flow easily through the body.

Here are the main types of stents:

• Metal Stents: These are made of metal and are the most common. They are like a small wire cage.
• Coated Stents: These stents have a special medicine on them. The medicine helps stop the blood vessel from getting blocked again.

If you find it hard to read, you can ask someone to read with you. You can also use text-to-speech tools that read the text out loud.

Will angioplasty fix the problem forever?

How long does it take to get better after angioplasty?

Angioplasty is a heart procedure. It helps blood flow better.

Most people start to feel better in a week. You might go home the day after the procedure.

You should rest and avoid lifting heavy things for a while. Your doctor will tell you when you can go back to normal activities.

It is important to follow your doctor's advice. Eating healthy food and doing light exercises can help.

Tools like calendars can remind you of check-ups. A family member or friend can help you remember instructions.

What is heart bypass surgery (CABG)?

Heart bypass surgery is an operation. It helps blood go around a blocked or narrow part of the heart. This surgery is called CABG, which stands for Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting.

Here is how it works:

• The doctor takes a healthy blood vessel from another part of your body.
• They use it to make a new road for blood to flow around the blockage in your heart.

Things that can help you remember:

• Think of your heart like a busy road.
• If the road is blocked, the doctor makes a new road.

Tips for understanding:

• Use simple drawings to see how the heart and blood vessels work.
• Ask someone to explain new words.
• Take your time to learn.

Ask your doctor if you have more questions!

When do doctors say to have CABG?

CABG is a type of heart surgery that helps blood flow better. Doctors might say to have CABG if:

• Your heart's blood vessels are very narrow or blocked.
• You have strong chest pain (also called angina) that doesn't go away with medicine.
• The heart isn't getting enough blood and you might have a heart attack.

Doctors decide if you need CABG by looking at your heart's health. You might do tests or talk with a heart doctor.

It is helpful to ask questions if you do not understand. Bringing a family member or friend can help, too.

How is Heart Bypass Surgery Done?

Heart bypass surgery is a special surgery. It helps blood move around a blocked part of the heart. Here is how doctors do it:

• First, doctors give the patient medicine to make them sleep. This way, the patient does not feel pain.
• Then, doctors take a healthy blood vessel from another part of the patient’s body. This blood vessel is used to make a new path for blood.
• Next, doctors attach this new blood vessel to the heart. This makes blood go around the blocked part.
• Finally, they make sure everything is working well before waking the patient up.

To learn more, you can:

• Ask the doctor questions.
• Watch simple videos about heart surgery.
• Read books with pictures about how the heart works.

What are the risks of heart bypass surgery?

Heart bypass surgery, also called CABG, is a big operation to help your heart. But like all surgeries, there are some risks. Here are some risks you should know about:

• Bleeding: You might bleed more than usual during or after surgery.
• Infection: You might get germs that can make you sick after surgery.
• Heart attack: Sometimes, the heart can have trouble during or after surgery.
• Stroke: This is when blood can’t get to parts of your brain.
• Breathing problems: Some people find it hard to breathe after surgery.

It’s important to talk to your doctor about these risks. They can explain what might happen and how they help keep you safe. You can also have a family member or friend with you to ask questions. If it helps, use pictures or write notes to understand better.

What happens after heart surgery?

Having heart surgery is a big deal! After the operation, you will need time to get better. This is called recovery.

Here’s what you can expect during recovery:

• Rest: Your body needs plenty of rest to heal. Make sure you sleep well.
• Follow doctor’s advice: Listen to what your doctor tells you. They will help you get better.
• Healthy food: Eating good food helps your body heal. Try to eat fruits and vegetables.
• Mild exercise: Your doctor might ask you to do easy exercises. This helps you get stronger.

If you can, try these helpful ideas:

• Use an alarm to remind you to take medicine.
• Ask a family member or friend to help you with your daily tasks.
• Write down any questions you have for your doctor so you can remember to ask them.

Remember, everyone’s recovery is different. Take your time, and be patient with yourself.