Why You Need to Discuss Heart Disease With Your Physician
When you learn how to discuss your concerns and questions with your physician, you are taking an important first step towards managing heart disease. You are not the only person who has problems communicating their concerns to the health care provider who performs your check-ups. But when it comes to heart 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. Physicians don’t always have as much time as they would like with each patient due to their demanding schedules and long waiting lists. In particular, women need to voice their concerns, since heart disease isn’t as readily associated with women, even though they are equally at risk.
Questions that you should ask your doctor include what your blood pressure is as recorded and what is normal for you. You need to know what your blood cholesterol and glucose levels are and if they are considered normal. Ask your doctor which tests are suggested for people of your age, both currently and in the future.
If medication has been prescribed, do not hesitate to ask if there are side effects, what the drug is supposed to do and whether you should take other medication, even over the counter, with your prescribed medicine. Also, find out if this is a long term medication or temporary. If recommended by your physician, you’ll need to take further tests to monitor the effects of your medication. The liver is one organ that most doctors consider testing when a patient is on certain medicines.
If you find that you always forget to ask your doctor something important, write down all your concerns before you get there. Remember to take along a list of your current prescriptions. This is essential if you are under the care of more than one health care practitioner.
Include your recent history of illness and surgery. This should be recorded in your file so your physician is up to speed on any potential problems.
If you’re worried about forgetting what the doctor tells you, be sure to take notes or even use a recording device to use for later reference. Don’t hesitate to get a second opinion if you’re not comfortable with the advice and treatment recommendations of your doctor.
