How to Discuss Heart Disease With Your Doctor
A critical first step in dealing with heart disease is to learn to speak to your physician about your questions and fears. You are not alone in terms of difficulties in talking to a medical practitioner about your health worries. However when it concerns heart health and wellness no question should be left unanswered.
There are those who hope that their questions will be answered during the course of an examination, rather than needing to actually voice them. HMOs and the busy schedules of physicians with waiting rooms full of patients sometimes do not allow the health care provider to spend as much time with each patient as they would like. Women especially need to speak up, because even though they suffer half the deaths from heart disease, health care providers hesitate to talk about heart wellness in women.
Questions that you should ask your doctor include things like what your blood pressure reading is and what is usual for you. Glucose and cholesterol levels will need to be tested to see if they are in an appropriate range. Ask your doctor which tests are suggested for individuals of your age, both at present and in the future.
If medications have been prescribed, do not hesitate to ask if there are possible negative reactions, what the drug is supposed to do, and whether you should take other medicine, even non-prescription, with your prescribed medication. Also find out if this is a long term medication or temporary. Tests to monitor the effects of the medicine you are taking should be conducted at a later date if it’s recommended by your physician. If you are on certain medications, many medical professionals will want to test your liver.
If you always seem to get home from your check-up and remember something that you forgot to ask the health care provider, make a “need to know” list and take it with you on your next visit. Don’t forget to bring with you the drugs that you are presently on as well. If you have more than one physician, this is a must. Add to your list any surgeries or applicable illness that you have had and been treated for in the past few years. This needs to be recorded in your file so your physician is up to speed on any potential problems.
If you’re worried about forgetting what the health care provider tells you, make sure to take notes or even use a recording device to use for later reference. Don’t be afraid to check around for a second opinion if you’re not comfortable with the treatment that your health care provider recommends or if you don’t feel that he or she listened to your worries or questions.
Preventing heart disease involves making long-term changes that will improve your heart health and decrease your risk of heart attack and stroke. Learn how to get started on the path to Heart Wellness.
