Don’t Be Shy: Talk to Your Doctor About Heart Disease

An essential step in preventing and managing cardiovascular disease is being open with your physician about your questions and concerns. You’re not alone when it comes to difficulties in talking to a medical practitioner about your health concerns. But when it comes to heart health and wellness no question should be left unanswered.

There are those who hope that their questions will be answered through the course of an examination, rather than having to actually voice them. Doctors don’t always have as much time as they would like with each patient because of their demanding schedules and long waiting lists. Women especially need to speak up, since even though they suffer half the deaths from cardiovascular disease, health care providers hesitate to discuss 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’re in an acceptable range. Find out from your health care provider what tests are recommended for your age group right now and in the years to come.

If medications have been prescribed, don’t hesitate to ask if there are possible side effects, what the drug is supposed to do, and whether you can take other drugs, even over the counter, with your prescribed medicine. Also find out if this is a long term medication or short term. If recommended by your doctor, you’ll need to take further tests to monitor the effects of your medication. The liver is one organ that most physicians think about testing when a patient is on specific drugs.

If you find that you always forget to ask your physician something important, write down all your issues before you get there. Do not forget to bring with you the drugs that you’re presently on as well. This is vital if you’re under the care of more than one health care practitioner. Add to your list any surgeries or pertinent illness that you have had and been treated for in the past few years. This needs to be recorded in your file so your doctor is up to speed on any potential problems.

In conclusion, if you think that you may forget what you health care provider has told you, you can always write it down or record the appointment for later referral. Do not 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 concerns or questions.

Heart disease kills more people each year than all of the cancers combined. Learn more about the causes, effects and treatments of this epidemic problem at Heart Wellness.