Preparing for an appointment

A heart attack usually is diagnosed in an emergency setting. However, if you're concerned about your risk of heart attack, see your doctor to check your risk factors and talk about prevention. If your risk is high, you might be referred to a heart specialist (cardiologist).

Here's some information to help you prepare for your appointment.

What you can do

When you make the appointment, ask if there's anything you need to do in advance, such as restrict your diet. You might need to fast before a cholesterol test, for example.

Make a list of:

• Your symptoms, including any that seem unrelated to coronary artery disease, and when they began
• Key personal information, including a family history of heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure or diabetes, and recent major stresses or recent life changes
• All medications, vitamins and other supplements you take, including doses
• Questions to ask your doctor

Take a friend or relative along, if possible, to help you remember the information you're given.

Some questions to ask your doctor about heart attack prevention include:

• What tests do I need to determine my current heart health?
• What foods should I eat or avoid?
• What's an appropriate level of physical activity?
• How often should I be screened for heart disease?
• I have other health conditions. How can I best manage these conditions together?
• Are there brochures or other printed material that I can have? What websites do you recommend?

Don't hesitate to ask other questions, as well.

What to expect from your doctor

Your doctor is likely to ask you questions, including:

• How severe are your symptoms?
• Are they constant or do they come and go?
• What, if anything, seems to improve your symptoms? If you have chest pain, does it improve with rest?
• What, if anything, worsens your symptoms? If you have chest pain, does strenuous activity make it worse?
• Have you been diagnosed with high blood pressure, diabetes or high cholesterol?

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 becoming more active. These are main lines of defense against having a heart attack.