Also referred to as a “coronary angiogram”. This procedure evaluates the arteries of the heart for blockages or plaque buildup that impedes blood flow. It also measures pressure measurements and can evaluate heart function and valve function. It is performed in the hospital’s Cath Lab where catheters are inserted into the femoral artery in the leg or the radial artery in the wrist, and are used to track up to the heart where contrast dye is injected into the coronary arteries, and visualized by using real-time X-ray cameras. It is performed with local anesthesia and intravenous sedatives, and usually is not very painful and tolerated well.