Angiogram is an imaging procedure that uses contrast dye and X-rays to visualize blood vessels, most commonly the coronary arteries supplying the heart. During a coronary angiogram, a catheter is threaded through an artery to the heart, dye is injected, and real-time images show areas of narrowing or blockage. The test helps diagnose coronary artery disease and guide interventions such as angioplasty and stent placement. Angiograms can also evaluate other vascular territories, including carotid, renal, or peripheral arteries. For insurers, angiogram results are critical underwriting evidence because they reveal the presence, severity, and distribution of atherosclerotic disease, which directly affects mortality risk.

Underwriters request angiogram reports whenever an applicant discloses a history of chest pain, heart attack, angioplasty, stent placement, or bypass surgery. They review the extent of stenosis, number of vessels involved, location of lesions, and any complications. A "clean" angiogram can support favorable offers even when symptoms were concerning, while severe multivessel disease may lead to significant ratings or declines. Advisors help clients obtain cath lab reports and cardiology notes and explain that underwriting decisions hinge on these details, not just the clientTMs subjective sense of feeling better. Understanding angiograms allows advisors to communicate more precisely with underwriters, manage expectations around cardiac cases, and underscore the importance of risk-factor management after a vascular event.