Your cardiologist may be the most important physician you have in your life, as cardiovascular diseases are among the leading causes of death today. According to research, half of all Americans suffer from some form of cardiovascular disease. Therefore, it’s vital to know what to ask your cardiologist during your next visit.

With that in mind, let’s take a look at the five most important things you need to know:

Question 1: Why are you recommending this test and prescribing this medication?

Your doctor will welcome you to ask for their reasoning as well as a discussion on testing accuracy and usage.

Question 2: What is the risk for me having a cardiovascular problem in the future?

Depending on your genetic predisposition and your current lifestyle, you might have a lower or higher risk for cardiovascular conditions, so it’s a good idea to ask your cardiologist what your risk is. We have several methods of calculating your 10-year risk, for example, so it’s useful to ask us about it because it may indicate what you can do to prevent future problems.

Question 3: How much of a difference will a change in lifestyle make?

As you’re probably aware, lifestyle plays part in the development of cardiovascular disease. In some cases, the right amount of sleep, a healthy diet, exercise and less stress could be enough to prevent future problems. Talk to your doctor to find out if we can recommend solutions tailored for you, or if we can refer you to another professional.

Question 4: Are there any new procedures and treatments we should consider?

Many doctors use specific procedures and treatments for particular diseases. But you’re welcome to ask us about new procedures and treatments that might be useful for you.

Question 5: Which symptoms point to my condition getting worse?

Heart disease is too broad of a term, and the symptoms can vary for a lot of reasons. That’s why this question is a perfect one, according to most doctors.

Key Takeaway

We at Premier Heart and Vascular Center care for your health and your life, which is why we believe it’s vital for us to help increase your health literacy by sharing these crucial questions.

These types of discussions can help you improve your health, recognize conditions, learn a healthy lifestyle, avoid risky behaviors and lower your health-related costs as well.

If you’d like to learn more, feel free to contact us.