Preparing for an appointment

If you think you may have atherosclerosis or are worried about having atherosclerosis because of a strong family history of heart disease, make an appointment with your doctor to have your cholesterol level checked.

Here's some information to help you get ready for your appointment and know what to expect from your doctor.

What you can do

• Be aware of any pre-appointment restrictions. When you make the appointment, ask whether there's anything you need to do in advance, such as restrict your diet. Many blood tests, including cholesterol and triglycerides, require that you avoid eating and drinking for a certain amount of hours before the tests.
• Write down any symptoms you're experiencing. Atherosclerosis is a risk factor for heart disease. Always tell your doctor if you have symptoms such as chest pains or shortness of breath. Such information helps your doctor decide how to best treat your atherosclerosis.
• Write down key personal information, including a family history of high cholesterol, heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure or diabetes, and any major stresses or recent life changes.
• Make a list of all medications, vitamins or supplements you're taking.
• Take a family member or friend along, if possible. Someone who goes with you may remember something that you missed or forgot.
• Be prepared to talk about your diet and exercise habits. If you don't already eat a healthy diet or exercise, your doctor can give you tips on how to get started.
• Write down questions to ask your doctor.

Preparing a list of questions will help you make the most of your time with your doctor. For atherosclerosis, some basic questions to ask your doctor include:

• What tests will I need?
• What's the best treatment?
• What foods should I eat or avoid?
• What's an appropriate level of exercise?
• How often do I need a cholesterol test?
• What are the alternatives to the primary treatment you're suggesting?
• I have other health conditions. How can I best manage them together?
• Are there restrictions I need to follow?
• Should I see a specialist?
• Is there a generic alternative to the medicine you're prescribing?
• Are there brochures or other printed material that I can take with me? What websites do you recommend?

Don't hesitate to ask any other questions you have.

What to expect from your doctor

Your doctor is likely to ask you a number of questions, including:

• Do you have a family history of high cholesterol, high blood pressure or heart disease?
• What are your diet and exercise habits like?
• Do you or did you smoke or use tobacco in any form?
• Do you have discomfort in your chest or pain in your legs with walking or at rest?
• Have you had a stroke or unexplained numbness, tingling or weakness of one side of your body or difficulty speaking?

What you can do in the meantime

It's never too early to make healthy lifestyle changes, such as quitting smoking, eating healthy foods and getting more exercise. These are simple ways to protect yourself against atherosclerosis and its complications, including heart attack and stroke.