Hi joe,
I had an angiogram when I was in hospital after being diagnosed. It's a very common procedure. In my case, they put me on a 'sliding scale' because of my diabetes - this is a combined glucose/insulin drip where they balance the glucose and insulin in order to keep your blood sugar on an even keel.
I was then wheeled into an operating theatre where the cardiologist explained the procedure to me. They administered a little local anaesthetic to my inner thigh and then inserted the catheter which carried a camera up the femoral artery to the heart. I felt nothing at all throughout the procedure, except when they put in a dye (or something, not sure what!). It wasn't an unpleasant experience - it was like being flooded with a warm sensation throughout my body.
The cardiologist explained what was happening, and I could just about see the monitor showing my arteries. I was fortunate in that my arteries were fine, but if necessary they will put in a stent which helps to open up an artery which may have become partially blocked.
Afterwards, I was taken to a recovery room where a nice nurse pressed her fingers against my thigh for 20 minutes to help close the place where they had inserted the catheter. I think they may also put a 'plug' in the place which gradually 'melts'. I was then returned to the ward where a nurse checked that the wound was OK every hour.
The cardiologist popped by later in the day to give me his findings.
Hope all goes well for you joe, take care!
Any other questions, please ask!