Cardiac catheterisation

The cost of cardiac catheterisation treatment depends on your individual circumstances. At the time of your appointment your consultant will discuss all options with you and ensure all your questions are answered.

Our fixed-price packages include the cost of your surgery and all appropriate aftercare appointments. However, any pre-surgery diagnostic tests and your consultant's outpatient appointment consultation fee are charged separately.

Our flexible payment options help you spread the cost of your payment across a time period that suits you.

Your consultant may recommend cardiac catheterisation to diagnose a heart problem, check your heart after you have been diagnosed with a heart condition, perform certain procedures or before another procedure or surgery.

Cardiac catheterisation can be used to:

• Diagnose conditions such as cardiac arrhythmia, mitral valve disease, coronary heart disease, and heart failure
• Assess your heart function after a heart attack
• Determine the need for further treatment such as a coronary artery bypass graft (CABG)
• Perform procedures such as a biopsy or stent placement to open an artery
• Help plan a procedure such as a coronary angioplasty or heart transplant

There are several other tests and scans which can be used to assess your heart function and diagnose heart conditions, but they do not give your consultant the same information as cardiac catheterisation and therefore do not provide a real alternative. Your consultant will normally try less invasive methods such as an ECG, echocardiogram, or cardiac stress test before recommending cardiac catheterisation. 

At your first consultation, you will be seen by a consultant cardiologist, a doctor specialising in conditions affecting the heart.

Your consultant will ask you about your symptoms, diagnosis, general health and medical history. They will perform a physical examination including checking your pulse and blood pressure and listening to your heart with a stethoscope. Your consultant may ask to see the results of any tests or scans you have had previously, or they may arrange them on the day.

Your first appointment is important as it’s where you’ll meet your consultant, the doctor responsible for your care. Your consultant will take time to get to know you, discuss your expectations for treatment and encourage you to ask any questions you may have. At Circle Health Group, we want you to be as well-informed and comfortable as possible during your treatment, so please discuss any questions or concerns with your consultant during your appointment.

Your consultant will tell you everything you need to do to prepare for your procedure. Instructions on how to prepare will also be in your appointment letter.

If there’s anything you’re not sure about, or if you have any questions, please contact the hospital for advice.

You will not be able to eat or drink anything for at least six hours before your cardiac catheterisation. Your healthcare team will give you instructions on this.

Tell your consultant about any medications you take regularly including over-the-counter medicines and supplements. Your consultant may tell you to stop taking some medicines such as blood thinners before your procedure. This is to reduce the risk of bleeding during your cardiac catheterisation.

Tell your consultant about any medical conditions such as diabetes, if you are or might be pregnant, or any allergies you have before your procedure.

Before your cardiac catheterisation, you’ll need to sign a consent form to say that you agree to have the procedure and are aware of what it entails and the possible risks and complications. 

Cardiac catheterisation is performed under local anaesthetic, meaning you’ll be awake for the procedure, but won't feel any pain. You may also be given medicine to make you feel relaxed and sleepy during the procedure.

During cardiac catheterisation:

1. You’ll be asked to lie flat on an examination table
2. Your consultant will insert a thin flexible tube called a catheter into a blood vessel in your groin area
3. The catheter is passed through your blood vessels to your heart and coronary arteries. X-rays are taken to check the catheter is in the correct position.
4. A special dye called contrast medium is injected into the catheter
5. X-ray images (angiograms) are taken of your coronary arteries. You may be asked to take some deep breaths while the X-rays are being taken. This allows your consultant to see your coronary arteries more clearly.
6. Your consultant will remove the catheter and apply a sterile dressing to the area where the catheter was inserted.

Cardiac catheterisation normally takes around 30 minutes.

Recovering from any type of medical procedure is different for everyone and depends on several factors including your age, general health, the type of procedure you had and your individual recovery process. You can help your recovery to go more smoothly by being as well informed as possible about your procedure and following your consultant’s post-operative instructions carefully. Call the hospital if you have any questions or concerns.

Cardiac catheterisation is performed as an outpatient procedure, meaning you’ll normally be able to go home the same day. After your cardiac catheterisation, you’ll need to stay in the department for a while to make sure you don’t have any adverse reactions to the contrast dye and until the effects of any sedation have worn off. You'll need to lie flat for a while (at least an hour) after your cardiac catheterisation to allow the artery to seal and reduce the risk of bleeding.

You won’t be able to drive after your procedure, so please arrange for someone to collect you from the hospital and stay with you overnight after your cardiac catheterisation.

After your cardiac catheterisation:

• Drink plenty of fluids to help flush the contrast dye from your body
• Avoid strenuous activity or heavy lifting for two to five days
• Do not immerse your surgical wound in water including taking a bath, or swimming for a week after your procedure. You can normally shower 24 hours after your cardiac catheterisation.
• Do not drive until your consultant tells you it’s safe to do so. This is usually around three days after your procedure.

You may have some pain or tenderness around where the catheter was inserted for up to a week and bruising around the area for up to two weeks. Keep an eye on your surgical wound and call the hospital if you notice any changes such as bleeding, new or increased pain or swelling or green or yellow discharge.

Most people feel back to normal after around a day or two following cardiac catheterisation.

Cardiac catheterisation is a generally safe procedure, but as with any type of medical procedure, there is a small risk that complications or side effects may occur.

Your consultant will explain all the possible risks and complications of cardiac catheterisation before your procedure and answer any questions you may have. It’s important that you are fully informed about any possible risks and complications before your procedure as this will allow you to make an informed decision.

Possible complications of cardiac catheterisation include:

• Bleeding
• Bruising
• Infection at the catheter insertion site
• Haematoma: Bleeding under the skin where the catheter was inserted
• Allergic reaction to the contrast dye or other medications used during the procedure
• Blood clots: Can form in the artery where the catheter was inserted
• False aneurysm: A rare, but serious complication caused by puncturing the artery
• Kidney damage: This can be a rare complication of the contrast dye
• Changes to your heart rhythm
• Blood leaking into the sac that surrounds the heart (cardiac tamponade)
• Tissue damage from radiation
• Heart attack
• Stroke
• Collapsed lung (pneumothorax)

At Circle Health Group, we have the experience and expertise to ensure the best possible care and outcome for our patients. As a patient with Circle Health Group, you can expect the highest standards of care including:

• Flexible appointment times and locations that are convenient for you
• The freedom to choose which hospital and consultant suit your needs
• Personalised, consultant-led treatment plans tailored to your individual needs
• Comfortable and safe private facilities maintained by expert multidisciplinary teams
• Private ensuite rooms as standard
• A range of delicious healthy meals
• Affordable, fixed-price packages with aftercare included
• Flexible payment options to help you spread the cost of your care

If you would like to see a consultant or learn more about cardiac catheterisation, book your appointment online today or call a member of our team directly on 0808 189 5499.

1. Cardiac catheterisation and coronary angiography NH
2. Cardiac Catheterization Johns Hopkins Medicine
3. What Is Cardiac Catheterization? National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute
4. Cardiac Catheterization Heart.org