How Is Catheterization Performed?

In cardiac catheterization (often called cardiac cath), your doctor puts a very small, flexible, hollow tube (called a catheter) into a blood vessel in the groin, arm, or neck. Then he or she threads it through the blood vessel into the aorta and into the heart. Once the catheter is in place, several tests may be done.

Are you put to sleep for a heart cath?

You're awake during a heart cath. But don't panic. You'll be sedated. So while you'll be awake, you'll be extremely relaxed and you'll likely not be focused on the procedure at all.

How is a catheterization done?

In cardiac catheterization (often called cardiac cath), your doctor puts a very small, flexible, hollow tube (called a catheter) into a blood vessel in the groin, arm, or neck. Then he or she threads it through the blood vessel into the aorta and into the heart. Once the catheter is in place, several tests may be done.