*Welcome to the OutUK series looking at gay men and their health brought to you in association with the NHS* website.**
	Each week we'll tackle a different topic in our A to Z of Gay Health. We'll have features and advice on everything from relationships, sexual health, mental and physical conditions and how to stay fit. You can follow any of links provided below for more information direct from the NHS website, or see this week's feature L: Laxatives.

Risks

Angiography is generally a safe procedure, but minor side effects are common and there's a small risk of serious complications.

You'll only have the procedure if the benefits outweigh any potential risk.

Speak to your doctor about the risks with having angiography.

Side effects

After angiography, many people have:

These problems should improve in a few days or weeks and are not usually anything to worry about.

You can take painkillers, such as paracetamol, for any discomfort if you need to.

Most people who have angiography do not have complications, but there's a small chance of minor or more serious complications.

Possible minor complications include:

an infection where the cut was made, causing the area to become red, hot, swollen and painful - this may need to be treated with antibiotics
a mild reaction to the contrast agent, such as an itchy rash - it can usually be controlled with medicine

Possible serious complications include:

kidney damage due to the contrast agent - this is usually temporary
a heart attack or stroke
damage to a blood vessel, causing internal bleeding - further surgery may be needed to repair the damage
a serious allergic reaction to the contrast agent (anaphylaxis), causing dizziness, breathing difficulties or loss of consciousness

These serious complications are very rare.

Contact a GP or the hospital for advice if:

the cut starts bleeding and does not stop after applying pressure for a few minutes
you have severe pain that's not relieved by painkillers
your skin becomes red, swollen and hot
the leg or arm where the cut was made looks or feels different to your other leg or arm - for example, it looks pale or feels cold
a firm lump that's sore to touch develops near where the cut was made

OutUK's A to Z of Gay Health continues and you can read this week's feature L: Laxatives. We have covered many subjects in this series and you can catch up with all of our Previous A to Z Features. If you want to find out more about this particular topic you can visit the Original article on the NHS website. If you are worried by any aspect of your health make sure you go and see your doctor or book an appointment at your local clinic.
Photos: LightFieldStudios and one of VladOrlov, Stockcube, darak77, ajr_images or rawpixel.com.