For the test:

• you’ll be asked to change into a hospital gown and lie down on a special table
• a small cut is made in the skin over one of your arteries, usually near your groin or wrist – local anaesthetic is used to numb the area so it doesn’t hurt
• a long, thin, flexible tube (catheter) is inserted into the artery and is carefully guided to the area being examined – you may feel some pushing and pulling when this is done, but it shouldn’t be painful
• a special dye (contrast agent) is injected through the catheter – you may feel warm, flushed and as though you need to pee for a few seconds after this is done
• a series of X-rays are taken as the dye flows through your blood vessels

Sometimes treatment may be carried at the same time, such as inserting a balloon or a small tube to open up a narrowed artery. This is known as angioplasty.

Once the procedure is finished, the catheter is removed and pressure is placed on the cut to stop any bleeding. Stitches aren’t needed.