4 Questions to ask your Cardiologist

Oxygen is the life-force for all living beings and the heart is what delivers oxygen-rich blood to all parts of the human body. The heart is a complex organ, and can be compared to a pump with temporary storage for pure and impure blood. The 4 chambers of the heart have valves to restrict or direct the flow of blood while electrical impulses generated from within the heart ensures the pump is beating at a steady pace and working efficiently.

Given that the heart is critical for our sustenance, heart health is of utmost importance to people at any age. Yet, Indians have one of the highest rates of heart disease in the world. There are various ailments that affect the heart, right from cholesterol deposits in the cardiac arteries (atherosclerosis) to defects in the heart-valves, to weak heart, to hole in the heart, unsteady heart-beat (arrhythmias), etc. Diabetes and some other health conditions also increase the risk of heart disease.

If you or any of your dear ones have had a heart attack, or your annual health checkup shows a high risk of heart attack, it’s good to meet a cardiologist at a reputed hospital. These are specialists who will tell you more about your condition and how to maintain heart health. Make the best of the appointment by asking several questions.

Body-parameters related

1. What should be the ideal weight or BMI (body-mass index) for good heart-health? What is the ideal waist to hip ratio? What are the heart-health implications of abdominal fat?
2. What should be the ideal blood pressure? Is my BP high and if so why?
3. What is good and bad cholesterol and does my condition concern these?
4. What is the ideal blood sugar count? How much is unsafe for heart health?

Ailment or condition-related

1. What is the possible cause of my current condition?
2. How will the condition look like over the next few days? Are there any other symptoms that I should watch out for?
3. Are there any dos and don’ts that I should follow now? Are there any diet restrictions?
4. What are the chances of the ailment recurring after some time?

Family related

1. Is there a risk of my family members developing this condition too?
2. If yes, what are the precautions they must take?
3. Is the condition hereditary? Are my children at risk?
4. Should I ask my parents or close family members if they had this condition?

Diagnosis related

1. What are the tests that will be conducted to diagnose the condition? Will these tests be done one after the other or in parallel?
2. How should I prepare myself for these tests?
3. When will the results come? Do I meet you again with the test results?
4. Are there any risks from these tests itself? And will these tests be repeated after the treatment is over?

Treatment (Medication) related

1. What is the course of treatment and how long will it last?
2. Do these medicines have any side-effects? What are the restrictions while taking these medicines?
3. Will these medicines interfere with medication that I am taking for other ailments?
4. Should I tell you of any allergies I have?

Treatment (Surgery) related

1. Is it a minimally invasive or incisional surgery?
2. What is the cost of the procedure?
3. Will general or local anaesthesia be given?
4. How do I prepare for the surgery? Any restrictions before the procedure?

Recovery and rehabilitation related

1. What is the recovery period?
2. What precautions should I take during recovery period?
3. How soon can I get back to a normal life?
4. Are there any activities that are restricted for me henceforth?

Lifestyle and prevention related

1. Did any lifestyle aspects contribute to this condition?
2. What changes should I make to my lifestyle now?
3. Will these changes prevent the condition from recurring?
4. If I don’t make these changes, what are the risks to my health?

Exercise and diet-related

1. What are the exercises that I must do for good heart health?
2. Are there any exercises that increase the risk of a heart attack?
3. Are there any precautions I must take while exercising?
4. What is the recommended diet for good heart-health, or my condition?

 

Kauvery Hospital is globally known for its multidisciplinary services at all its Centers of Excellence, and for its comprehensive, Avant-Grade technology, especially in diagnostics and remedial care in heart diseases, transplantation, vascular and neurosciences medicine. Located in the heart of Trichy (Tennur, Royal Road and Alexandria Road (Cantonment), Chennai, Hosur, Salem, Tirunelveli and Bengaluru, the hospital also renders adult and pediatric trauma care.

Chennai – 044 4000 6000 • Trichy – Cantonment – 0431 4077777 • Trichy – Heartcity – 0431 4003500 • Trichy – Tennur – 0431 4022555 • Hosur – 04344 272727 • Salem – 0427 2677777 • Tirunelveli – 0462 4006000 • Bengaluru – 080 6801 6801