Cardiac catheterization is a non-surgical procedure that assists your doctor in diagnosing a heart problem. To perform the procedure, your cardiologist inserts a long, flexible tube called a catheter, into a blood vessel in your arm or groin area. The catheter is gently guided through the blood vessel to your heart. Once the catheter is in place, x-ray pictures and other readings are taken to help your doctor evaluate how well your heart is working.

The information gathered during the cardiac catheterization can help to identify narrowed arteries in the heart, heart valve problems, or abnormalities in the structure of the heart (usually something a person is born with). During the procedure the doctor can view the blood flow through the arteries that feed the heart, the pumping action of the heart muscle, the opening and closing of each heart valve, and various pressure readings inside the heart structure. The data collected during this procedure are used to help the doctor make the best possible treatment recommendations for abnormal heart conditions.