At my next appointment I’ll ask my doctor the following heart health questions. If I’m experiencing heart related symptoms, I’ll see a doctor immediately.
MY SYMPTOMS:
The symptoms I'm experiencing include ...
Where on my body?
When?
For how long?
What are the symptoms of heart disease in women and how do they differ from men?
Tell me about heart disease in women. What are the implications of this disease for me in my life time”?
MY STRESS:
Sources of stress for me include ...
Love / relationship stress:
Family stress:
Work stress:
Money stress:
Social stress:
PREVENTION AND TESTING:
Should I have my cholesterol checked? If so, can you explain the numbers to me and what I can do to make sure they are at healthy levels?
What sort of test do I need to make sure I have a healthy heart such as simple blood work or an EKG?
What is my BMI?
What should my waist measurements be?
What are my blood sugar levels and am I at risk for diabetes? If so, what are the symptoms of diabetes? Does that put me at higher risk for heart disease?
Doctor, how much physical activity do I need in order to strengthen my heart and then keep my heart healthy?
Can you give me any advice on healthy eating?
What kind of food should I be eating that will help me maintain a healthy heart or prevent heart disease?
How much sleep should I be getting to keep my heart healthy?
Should I be tested for different levels of C-reactive protein and homocystine, or lipid protein a?
Should I get a calcium scoring? If so, what should my score be?
Will my insurance cover the test(s) you want me to take? If not, is there a low-cost or free clinic where I can get this test?
RISK FACTORS:
My family’s heart history includes ....
What are the risk factors in women and what can I do about the risk factors over which I have control?
What do you think about my family history compared to what’s going up with my numbers?
TREATMENTS:
What are the drugs and treatments for this condition?
Why is this medication being prescribed? And what about generic? What is the generic question that comes up that a woman should ask?
What are the side effects of this drug?
What treatments are covered by insurance? Or is this something I would pay for out of pocket?
What are my alternatives?
Can you recommend a patient you know who would be willing to talk about her experience with this drug or treatment?
What can I expect while undergoing this treatment?
What support services are available to assist me?
OFF-SITE LOCATIONS
If I need to visit another location: Do you have an address / map? Where should I park? Will parking be validated? Do I need to bring cash to pay for parking?
OTHER QUESTIONS
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