How long does an angiogram procedure take?

A typical coronary angiogram lasts about an hour although preprocedure preparation and postprocedure care may make it longer, states Mayo Clinic. This time also increases when other cardiac catheterization procedures are conducted together with the angiogram.

A coronary angiogram is a procedure where an X-ray machine takes a series of images, or angiograms, of the heart's blood vessels, explains Mayo Clinic. The X-ray cameras take pictures as they move around the chest and head, while the contrast material injected into the heart's blood vessels shows up and helps to create in-depth images. Doctors use the angiograms to diagnose and treat diseases of the heart and the circulatory system.