Why should I talk to my doctor about heart disease?

If you are someone who has already been diagnosed with heart disease, when you visit your doctor you should come prepared to ask your doctor appropriate questions about your heart health. While doctors are often great at providing information, asking questions will ensure you get all the information that you need. If you have not been diagnosed with heart disease and have one or more risk factors, or even if you have no risk factors at all, you should know what to ask your doctor about heart disease. An old adage says “know your enemy” and heart disease is the most pervasive enemy to the health of Americans. Keeping your heart disease risk low is the most reliable way to extend your life.

If you are a woman it is especially important to ask questions about your risk of heart disease. Doctors may not always bring up the subject themselves since historically heart disease was considered primarily a man’s disease. Doctors may tend to focus on other women’s issues such as breast cancer, but American women are six times more likely to die of heart disease than of breast cancer.

Some people might think that finding out they have heart disease means they are going to die and there’s nothing they can do about it. Actually, if you are diagnosed early, medications and lifestyle changes can radically increase the length and quality of your life. Even if you have advanced disease, there are treatments that can help. Don’t let your fear of a diagnosis keep you from seeing the doctor until it is too late.

How do I talk to my doctor about heart disease?

The best thing you can do is be prepared. Know the questions you want to ask and come prepared to answer the questions that the doctor will likely ask of you. It may be helpful to bring a list of your questions with you to your appointment and if you are taking medications you can bring a list of those as well (including both prescription and non-prescription drugs). You may be asked to provide a medical history, including any past illnesses, surgeries, and treatments (including mental health treatment) so knowing the dates of these is helpful.

You should make sure to tell your story accurately. Most people see several primary care doctors throughout their lifetime and medical records can be spotty or incomplete. Make sure to tell your doctor if you have ever been diagnosed with high blood pressure, diabetes or high cholesterol, if anyone in your family has had a heart attack or stroke, or if you have had any of the symptoms of heart disease.

If you do have symptoms, tell your doctor what they are, when they began, how often they happen, and whether they are getting better, worse, or staying the same. Keeping a diary of your symptoms will help you keep track of them and help you talk about them with your doctor.

When your doctor asks you questions about your lifestyle, you should answer them truthfully. Sometimes people are embarrassed to admit that they smoke, or drink, or eat fast food, but your doctor needs to know these things to help you. Most doctors will not judge you; just taking the initiative to come and see them shows that you are interested in taking control of your health and that is commendable.

It is a good idea to take notes, bring a tape recorder, or ask a friend or family member to come with you to help you remember what your doctor tells you. Medical information can be overwhelming, especially when you are faced with a lot of it all at once.

Make sure you understand any diagnosis the doctor gives you and any tests ordered or treatments prescribed. Ask your doctor to explain if he or she says something that you do not understand. Do not feel “stupid” asking questions - every question you have is important when it comes to your heart health. Speak up. Let your doctor know if he or she has not answered your question or addressed your concern. Tell your doctor if a treatment is not working or if you are having side effects. He or she may prescribe a different treatment that might work better for you.

What questions should I ask my doctor about heart disease?

If you have not been diagnosed with heart disease before, the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute suggests asking your physician these questions about heart disease:

• What is my risk for heart disease?
• What is my blood pressure? What does it mean for me and what do I need to do about it?
• What are my cholesterol numbers (including total cholesterol, LDL or “bad” cholesterol, HDL or “good” cholesterol, and triglycerides)? What do they mean for me and what do I need to do about them?
• What are my “body mass index” and waist measurement? Do they indicate that I need to lose weight for my health?
• What is my blood sugar level, and does it mean I’m at risk for diabetes?
• What other screening tests for heart disease do I need? How often should I return for checkups for my heart health?
• What can you do to help me quit smoking? (if applicable)
• How much physical activity do I need to help protect my heart?
• What type of exercise should I be doing to control my risk?
• What is a heart-healthy eating plan for me? Should I see a registered dietitian or qualified nutritionist to learn more about healthy eating?
• What types of foods will help me control my risk or disease?
• What can I do to lower my risk of heart disease?
• What kinds of tests are available to diagnose heart disease?
• What are the treatment options for heart disease?
• How can I tell if I’m having a heart attack?

What questions should I ask about women’s heart disease?

• How is heart disease different between men and women?
• How do heart attack symptoms differ in women and men?
• Are the risk factors different for men and women?
• Is the treatment for heart disease different for women?
• How will menopause affect my heart? What about hormone replacement therapy?
• How does the birth control pill affect heart disease risk?
• What can women do to reduce their risks of heart disease?
• Should I take aspirin?
• What’s a normal weight for a women my height? How much weight should I try to lose?

What questions should I ask my doctor if I have already been diagnosed with heart disease?

If you have already been diagnosed with heart disease there are questions you should ask your doctor about managing your disease and reducing your risk of hear attack. You should always discuss any changes in your diet, exercise, energy level, or medicines with a health professional.

• What caused my heart disease? Is there an underlying problem that can be treated?
• How severe is the problem?
• What can I do to lessen my risk of a heart attack?
• What medicines are available to treat my condition? Which do you recommend and why?
• What kinds of lifestyle changes can I make to help reduce my risk of heart attack?
• Are there specific exercises I should do?
• What level of activity is OK for me? Are there activities I should avoid? For example, am I healthy enough to have sex?
• How can I reduce anxiety and manage my stress level?
• How can I explain my condition to my friends and family? To my boss?
• Can you give an example of patient who made some simple heart-healthy changes and improved their disease?

What questions should I ask about medication?

It is important to understand the medications you are taking and how to take them properly. Especially when you begin taking a new medicine you should be wary of side effects. These are some specific questions you can ask your doctor when you are first prescribed a new medicine.

• What is the name of the medicine? Does it have a less expensive generic available?
• When and how should I take it? For how long?
• How does the medicine work?
• What should I do if I forget to take a dose?
• Are there other, similar medications in the same class that work in a similar way?
• Are there foods or activities I should avoid when taking the medicine?
• How will I know if the medicine is working?
• What are the side effects? What should I do if I recognize them?
• Are there any long term risks of taking this medication?
• Where can I find out more about the medicine?

What questions should I ask about diet and weight control?

You may be asked to change your diet in order to improve your heart health. For some people, this may require a radical departure from their normal eating habits. You should make sure to get clarification on specific foods or ingredients you should eat and those you should avoid. You may also want to ask about methods to help you lose weight safely and effectively. Questions you can ask are:

• What kinds of food should I eat, what should I restrict, and what should I avoid completely?
• What should my daily calorie, fat and cholesterol intake be?
• Are there cooking tips that I can use?
• Is there a good way to control portion size?
• Can I still eat out? What about fast food?
• Can I still eat _ (insert a favorite indulgence food, e.g. pizza, prime rib)?
• How do I read food labels?
• How much salt may I eat?
• What is a realistic goal for a healthy weight for me?
• Should I see a nutritionist or dietitian to help with my diet?
• Should I keep a food diary of what I eat?
• How much physical activity do I need to do? What are the best types of activities for me?
• How can I maintain a healthy weight after losing those pounds?
• Should I follow an established set of dieting guidelines?

What questions should I ask about lowering cholesterol and blood pressure?

Your doctor may ask you to lower your cholesterol and blood pressure. This will often involve a combination of medication and lifestyle changes. Here are some questions you can ask to learn how to take control of these important parameters.

• What do my cholesterol numbers mean? How often should I have my levels checked?
• What should my blood pressure be? How often should my blood pressure be checked?
• How does physical activity affect my cholesterol levels? My blood pressure?
• What type of diet should I eat to help lower my cholesterol and blood pressure?
• Will I need to lose weight?
• Which cholesterol-lowering and blood pressure lowering medicines should I consider?
• How long will it take to reach my goals for lowered cholesterol and blood pressure?
• Will I always have to take medicine?
• Should I get a home blood pressure monitor?
• What should be my daily sodium intake?