Your First Cardiologist Appointment: What To Bring and What to Expect

Make the most of your first cardiologist appointment. Read more to learn what to expect and what to bring.

Visiting a cardiologist for the first time might feel a bit overwhelming, but detecting any heart conditions and taking early steps to treat them greatly increases your chances of living a longer, healthier life. Preparing well for your appointment ensures you get the most out of the time with your specialist.

What to Expect During Your Cardiologist Visit

Your initial visit with a heart specialist typically lasts about an hour. During this consultation, a nurse practitioner or physician's assistant may begin by asking detailed questions about your general health and the specific concerns that led to your visit. Following this discussion, a physical examination will be performed. If needed, your cardiologist will arrange for further diagnostic testing. After reviewing your case, they may prescribe medication or offer recommendations to your primary care provider. In more serious situations, you may be referred to a cardiovascular surgeon or another specialist or admitted to the hospital for immediate heart care. 

Your Checklist: What to Bring for Your Visit

When you prepare for your visit, it helps your doctor provide the best possible care and helps both of you make the most of your time. Be prepared to take notes and bring a list of all the medicines you are taking. Gather any medical records from previous treatment for the same or a similar problem, and be prepared to share family health history details. Keep everything organized in a folder for easy access to help guide your doctor’s assessment. Key information to have on hand includes:

• A list of your medicines, or the medications themselves. Your pharmacy or primary health care provider can put together this information if you don't have it. You may even want to throw them in a sealable bag and bring them along. It is important to include any vitamins and supplements. Make sure to include any medications that you were prescribed within the past year, even if you no longer take them.
• Family medical history. Your family history is filled with important clues, so be thorough, especially including what you might know about instances of high cholesterol, diabetes, heart disease, and high blood pressure among your close relatives.
• Your own medical history. List your surgeries, along with medical procedures, including diagnostic work-ups such as MRIs and lab reports.
• A list of all your health care providers. This should include any that you are currently seeing or have visited in the last two years. Dentists, chiropractors, and natural-healing practitioners are all worth mentioning, among others.
• Your top questions. Write down the most important questions you want to ask. If the doctor doesn't bring them up, don't be afraid to ask. If you are unsure of what to ask, search reputable sites such as the American Heart Association, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the National Institutes of Health.

Your cardiologist is an important member of your care team—a team that centers around you and your health. Take full advantage of the time, develop a good personal connection, and remember that no matter how small the detail, there's nothing too minor to bring up at your appointment. You never know what information could lead to the right diagnosis and treatment.

Ready to prioritize your heart health? Search for cardiologists near you and schedule your appointment today.

Copyrighted material adapted with permission from Ignite Healthwise, LLC. This information does not replace the advice of a doctor.