What to expect during your first visit with a cardiologist
Heart disease is the leading cause of death for men and women in the United States, causing about one in five deaths.1
The term “heart disease” refers to several different types of heart conditions. Some patients are not diagnosed with heart disease until they have symptoms. The most common type of heart disease is coronary artery disease, which decreases the amount of blood that flows to the heart and can lead to a heart attack (chest pain, upper back or neck pain, indigestion, heartburn, nausea or vomiting, extreme fatigue, upper body discomfort, dizziness and shortness of breath). Other symptoms of heart disease include arrhythmia (chest palpitations) or heart failure (shortness of breath, fatigue, or swelling in the feet, ankles, legs, abdomen or neck veins).2
Patients who are at risk for heart disease can call the Heart & Vascular Center to make an appointment or be referred by their primary care provider. Patients do not need a referral unless their insurance requires it. Family history, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and smoking are key risk factors for heart disease. Other risk factors include diabetes, being overweight, unhealthy diet, being physically inactive, and excessive alcohol use2.
If you think you are at risk for heart disease, Cardiologist Dr. Squires can help put your mind at ease by answering your questions and finding out if anything is wrong.
The first visit to the Heart & Vascular Center will include a full consultation. The patient will be asked to fill out some paperwork concerning their history and health problems. Patients should bring any important records they have and any medications that they take.
The nurse will escort them to an exam room and check their blood pressure in several positions. An EKG will be done. The cardiologist will take a full medical history including their current symptoms, family history, and health habits like smoking, alcohol use, diet, and exercise.
After that assessment, the cardiologist will perform a focused physical exam which usually includes listening to the carotid arteries, heart sounds, lungs, abdomen and examining the legs and ankles for edema and the quality of the pulses in the feet. Next, the cardiologist will explain the findings and may recommend more tests or medication. The patient will be asked if they have any questions and advised when to come back for a follow up appointment.
The Heart & Vascular Center provides all levels of cardiac care, including initial assessments, medication management, patient education, and device therapy. This comprehensive program features an array of services including a state-of-the-art interventional and cardiac catheterization lab, cardiac diagnostic testing, and cardiac rehabilitation programs.
1 https://www.cdc.gov/heart-disease/data-research/facts-stats/?CDC_AAref_Val=https://www.cdc.gov/heartdisease/facts.htm
2 https://www.cdc.gov/heart-disease/about/?CDC_AAref_Val=https://www.cdc.gov/heartdisease/about.ht
