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Preparing for your appointment
By Mayo Clinic staffIf you think you may have a heart defect, or you've developed complications from a previously diagnosed heart defect, make an appointment with your doctor. If you're having symptoms such as chest pain or shortness of breath, seek emergency medical attention immediately.
Because appointments can be brief, and because there's often a lot of ground to cover, it's a good idea to be prepared for your appointment. Here's some information to help you get ready for your appointment, and what to expect from your doctor.
What you can do
- Be aware of any pre-appointment restrictions. At the time you make the appointment, be sure to ask if there's anything you need to do in advance, such as restrict your diet. If you're having imaging tests, for example, you may need to fast for a period of time beforehand.
- Write down any symptoms you're experiencing, including any that may seem unrelated to congenital heart disease.
- Write down key personal information, including a family history of heart defects and any major stresses or recent life changes.
- Bring copies of your past medical records, including reports of any previous surgeries.
- Make a list of all current medications, as well as any vitamins or supplements, that you're taking.
- Take a family member or friend along, if possible. Sometimes it can be difficult to soak up all the information provided to you during an appointment. Someone who accompanies you may remember something that you missed or forgot.
- Be prepared to discuss your diet and exercise habits. If you don't already follow a diet or exercise routine, be ready to talk to your doctor about any challenges you might face in getting started.
- Write down questions to ask your doctor.
Your time with your doctor is limited, so preparing a list of questions will help you make the most of your time together. List your questions from most important to least important in case time runs out. For congenital heart defects, some basic questions to ask your doctor include:
- What is likely causing my symptoms or condition?
- What are other possible causes for my symptoms or condition?
- What kinds of tests will I need?
- What is the best course of action?
- What's an appropriate level of physical activity?
- How often should I be screened for complications from my heart defect?
- What are the alternatives to the primary approach that you're suggesting?
- I have other health conditions. How can I best manage them together?
- Are there any restrictions that I need to follow?
- Should I see a cardiologist specializing in congenital heart disease? Do you know of any cardiologists who are experienced in working with adults who have congenital heart defects?
- Is there a generic alternative to the medicine you're prescribing me?
- Are there any brochures or other printed material that I can take home with me? What Web sites do you recommend visiting?
In addition to the questions that you've prepared to ask your doctor, don't hesitate to ask questions during your appointment at any time that you don't understand something.
What to expect from your doctor
Your doctor is likely to ask you a number of questions. Being ready to answer them may reserve time to go over any points you want to spend more time on. Your doctor may ask:
- When did you first begin experiencing symptoms?
- Have your symptoms been continuous or occasional?
- How severe are your symptoms?
- What, if anything, seems to improve your symptoms?
- What, if anything, appears to worsen your symptoms?
- What medications have you taken or surgeries have you had to treat your condition?
- Williams RG, et al. Report of the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Working Group on Research in Adult Congenital Heart Disease. Journal of the American College of Cardiology. 2006;47:701.
- Warnes CA. The adult with congenital heart disease: Born to be bad? Journal of the American College of Cardiology. 2005;46:1.
- Murphy DJ, et al. ACC/AHA/AAP recommendation: Task force 6: Training in transition of adolescent care and care of the adult with congenital heart disease. Journal of the American College of Cardiology. 2005;46:1399.
- Congenital Heart Defects. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/dci/Diseases/chd/chd_all.html. Accessed March 24, 2009.
- Walsh EP, et al. Arrhythmias in adult patients with congenital heart disease. Circulation. 2007;115:534.
- Thierren J, et al. Clinical update on adults with congenital heart disease. The Lancet. 2003;362:1305.
- Perloff JK, et al. Pregnancy in women with congenital heart disease: Specific lesions. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed March 24, 2009.
- Grogan M. (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. April 10, 2009.
