Health

but they'll be able to shake you awake if they need to ask any questions. It won't make your day, but you will sleep through most of it.. It's still the gold standard when it comes to seeing arteries and finding out whether or not they are blocked. Most of the time, they can open small blockages with tiny coiled wires called stents, meaning that with medication and some lifestyle changes, you'll be able to avoid bypass surgery.

Don't be alarmed by that "big honkin needle" post. Your leg will be numbed by several anesthetic shots, the first two sting but the sting goes away fast. Your artery is opened by a needle, then a flexible plastic tube (they'll call it a sheath) is put in and the needle taken out. The instruments are threaded into the artery through the flexible tube.

I can't tell you how long you'll be in there, it depends on what they find and what they do about it. You'll stay mostly in La La Land until the instruments are out and it's time to take you back to your room.

I've been retired along time, so I imagine they've got more precise instruments and better drugs, but the principle should be about the same. You should do fine. See you on the other side.