Services Diagnostic Surgical

Private Coronary Angiogram Procedures

What is a coronary angiogram?

A coronary angiogram is a special X-ray in which a doctor inserts a thin flexible tube known as a catheter into an artery in your leg or arm. From there, the tube is gently threaded into your heart. Then, a dye is injected into the catheter allowing the doctor to see through a monitor, whether or not your coronary arteries are blocked.

Why do I need a coronary angiogram?

If your doctor diagnoses you with coronary artery disease, and it is not responding to medication, he or she may order this test to see the degree of blockage in your arteries.

Coronary artery disease occurs when the blood vessels that supply your heart become narrowed or blocked by fatty deposits known as plaque. This plaque narrows the arteries – and sometimes even blocks them – making it difficult for the blood to get through.

Coronary artery disease can be difficult to diagnose because symptoms often develop only after the disease is at an advanced stage. The best-known risk factors for coronary artery disease are:

Symptoms of coronary artery disease are:

(Women are more likely to have more subtle symptoms than men.) If you have experienced these symptoms, your doctor may have diagnosed you with angina, which simply means that your heart is not getting enough blood. If medication does not control your symptoms, a coronary angiogram is often the next step.

Why do I have to wait so long for a coronary angiogram?

An angiogram is an expensive test and not available in all communities. As a result of rationing of care by the Canadian public health system, you may have a wait for others ahead of you in line, particularly if your case is not deemed “urgent.” Because we view all heart conditions as urgent, Timely Medical Alternatives can help you find a private clinic to expedite your diagnosis so you can get appropriate treatment as quickly as possible.

What happens after the procedure?

A nurse or doctor will apply direct pressure for 15 minutes or longer where the catheter was inserted to make sure there is no internal bleeding. Then you will be asked to lie quietly, likely for several hours. You will not be allowed to drive home, so be sure to have arranged a ride for yourself. Your doctor will discuss the results with you and indicate whether you are a good candidate for angioplasty.

Your surgeon can also give you a better estimate of anticipated recovery time at the time of your consultation.

 

About Us

Timely Medical Alternatives Inc. was founded in 2003 as Canada’s first facilitator of private pay medical services and diagnostic imaging. Since then, we have expedited private medical services for thousands of clients and in the process, have saved the lives of 6 of our fellow Canadians.

Services

Timely Medical Alternatives Inc. is able to expedite virtually any surgery, diagnostic imaging, or biopsy. Many of our private medical services are available in Canada; some are available in the US, where we have a network of hospitals and private medical services clinics with which we work. There is no charge for our service.

Procedure

The role of our firm is to act as a facilitator, brining our clients together with private medical services and clinics which can provide the needed services and / or procedures in a timely manner. Once arrangements have been made to the mutual satisfaction of our client and their physician, we have no ongoing involvement in the doctor-patient relationship.

Waitlist

This distinguishing feature of Canadian public healthcare is the nearly universal waitlists for virtually all diagnostic procedures and for surgeries. We are able to facilitate private medical services and diagnostics within 2 – 3 days and surgeries as quickly as 48 hours, in urgent cases. Many of our referrals are to facilities within Canada.