What to expect

The doctors and staff welcome your questions - before, during and after your time at the Heart & Vascular Center. They will explain and give you direction for each step of a procedure. We want you to be as comfortable and relaxed as possible while we are caring for you.

Your family members may wait in the cardiovascular waiting room, and the staff will update them on your progress.

After being prepared for your procedure on cardiovascular short stay, you will be moved to a cardiovascular or electrophysiology lab procedure room. The staff will introduce themselves and explain your procedure.

Most procedures last about an hour, but some are longer depending on the type and number of procedures. You will need to lie down on a narrow table during the procedure. The table is narrow to allow the camera to get close enough for the best photos. The staff will help you get comfortable by offering arm rests, pillows and medication if needed.

Warm blankets will also be offered to you since the procedure rooms are kept cool to allow proper functioning of the computers, monitors and photo equipment.

You will be awake during the procedure because you need to tell us if you are comfortable, feel ill or if you need something. The lights will turn down in the room at times so the cardiologist and staff can see the monitors.