Preparing for an appointment

If you've had chest pains or other symptoms of heart disease, your primary care provider will likely refer you to a doctor trained in heart diseases (cardiologist).

Here's some information to help you get ready 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 avoiding food or drinks before a specific test.

Before your appointment, make a list of:

• Your symptoms, including any that seem unrelated to the reason for your appointment
• Important personal information, including major stresses and recent life changes
• Any personal and family medical history of heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes or high cholesterol
• All medications, vitamins or other supplements you take, including the doses
• Questions to ask your care provider

For small vessel disease, basic questions to ask your health care provider include:

• What's causing my symptoms?
• Are there other possible causes for my symptoms?
• What tests do I need?
• What treatments are available and which do you recommend for me?
• What are the alternatives to the primary approach you're suggesting?
• I have other health conditions. How can I best manage them together?
• Should I see a specialist?
• Are there brochures or other printed material I can have? What websites do you recommend?

Don't hesitate to ask other questions.

What to expect from your doctor

Your health care provider is likely to ask you questions, such as:

• When did your symptoms begin?
• Do you always have symptoms or do they occur occasionally?
• How severe are your symptoms?
• What, if anything, makes your symptoms worse?
• Do your symptoms get worse when you're active?
• What, if anything, makes your symptoms better?