My grandma's been told she's got this issue with leaking valve shrinkage after she had some chest pain recently, and shes gotta get an angiography. I'm kinda worried about the risks involved with angiography at her age. If it turns out she needs surgery after the angiography, how safe and effective is that gonna be? She's got high blood pressure, but it's under control with meds. She doesn't have any other health issues. Can you help me understand what we're looking at here?

Angiography is generally a safe procedure, but like any medical procedure, it does carry some risks. The risks can include bleeding, infection, allergic reaction to the dye used, or damage to the blood vessels. However, these risks are usually low and the benefits of obtaining important information about the heart often outweigh the risks. If surgery is required after the angiography to address the leaking valve and valve shrinkage, the effectiveness and safety of the surgery will depend on various factors including the specific condition of the valve, the overall health of your Nani, and the skill of the surgical team. In general, valve repair or replacement surgeries can be very effective in improving symptoms and quality of life. With controlled high blood pressure and no other significant illnesses, the overall risk of surgery may be lower. It is important for your Nani to discuss any concerns or questions with her healthcare team, including the cardiologist and cardiac surgeon, to get a better understanding of her individual situation and the potential risks and benefits of the procedures.