5 Questions to Ask Your Cardiologist on Your Next Visit

Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are the biggest cause of death in America. A shocking ratio of young adults is suffering from fatal heart conditions. Long Island Cardiologists claim that although incurable, many heart ailments can be detected early and are preventable with the proper course of treatment. So, if you notice any symptoms pertaining to heart failure, make an appointment with a cardiomyopathy specialist in West Babylon at the earliest to get the needful screenings done.

At your consultation, ask the cardiologist these major questions to make better sense of the situation:

1. What are the major risks I should know of?

Your cardiologist will have taken your vitals such as blood pressure, height, weight, etc. before sitting down with you to discuss the causation of the present problem. Knowing these are crucial in deciding the further course of action and also to determine what type and stage of heart disease are you at risk of.

2. How big of a role does my family history play?

It is a well-known fact that many illnesses are hereditary, but what is not common knowledge is the kind of illnesses that are catalysts in showing up as severe cardiomyopathies later in life. In addition, currently diagnosed conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure can also change the course of how and when CVD symptoms show.

3. What are the typical symptoms that are indicative of worsening heart health?

Chest pain and numbness are commonly associated with a stroke, but these are extremely rare. Most patients start having shortness of breath, cold sweating, nausea, and discomfort in movements of shoulder, neck, jaw, and back.

4. Is there anything I can do to prevent further damage?

As mentioned earlier, most CVD can only be controlled by constant monitoring and treatment plans. Thus, ask your doctor about their input on what lifestyle changes should you incorporate based on the preliminary risk assessment. Some may recommend getting more active in their daily routine, while others may be suggested to avoid certain physical activities. So, check before you act.

5. What tests & treatments would you follow?

Accurate diagnosis on the first visit is nearly impossible, so expect your physician to order a series of tests including a full blood work-up and other screenings. Based on the results of these, the cardiologist will chalk up a treatment plan. This may just include few medications and a rotational lab check-up. Regardless, ensure you have been explained every single reading and the reason and plausible side-effects of the drugs your intake.

These are some of the main topics you shouldn’t miss discussing with a Cardiomyopathy Specialist in West Babylon, Long Island, NY to get all your concerns answered and attended to before you go through an intimidating process of tests and screenings.