Talking to Your Healthcare Provider About Heart Attack

by Debra Wood, RN [1]

You have a unique medical [11] history. Therefore, it is essential to talk with your doctor or healthcare provider about your personal risk factors and/or experience with heart [12] attack. By talking openly and regularly with your healthcare provider, you can take an active role in your care.

General Tips for Gathering Information

Here are some tips that will make it easier for you to talk to your healthcare provider:

Bring someone else with you. It helps to have another person hear what is said and think of questions to ask.
Bring the list of current medications with you.
Write out your questions ahead of time, so you don't forget them.
Write down the answers you get, and make sure you understand what you are hearing. Ask for clarification, if necessary.
Don't be afraid to ask your questions or ask where you can find more information about what you are discussing. You have a right to know.

Specific Questions to Ask Your Healthcare Provider

About Your Risk of Developing Heart Disease and Heart Attack

Based on my medical [11] history, lifestyle, and family background, am I at risk for a heart [12] attack?
How do I best prevent heart [12] disease and heart [12] attack?
How do I know if my blood pressure or cholesterol [13] is high?

About Treatment Options

What are the risks and benefits of the various methods to reopen the artery?
What medications are available to help me?
- What are the benefits/side effects of these medications?
- Will these medications interact with other medications, over-the-counter products, or dietary or herbal supplements I am already taking for other conditions?

About Lifestyle Changes

How soon after my heart [12] attack can I begin exercising?
- What type of exercise [14] is best?
- How much should I be exercising?
- How do I get started with an exercise [14] program?
Are there other dietary changes I should make? How do I go about it?
Should I stop drinking alcohol?
How can I find help to quit smoking?
Do I need to lose weight? If so, how much?
How soon after my heart [12] attack is it safe to have sex [15]?

About Your Outlook

How do I know if my cholesterol [13] and blood pressure are staying within healthy limits?
How often will you monitor my blood pressure and cholesterol [13] levels?
How likely am I to have another heart [12] attack?
How extensive is the damage to my heart [12]? And how will that affect my quality of life?

References:

American Heart Association website. Available at: http://www.americanheart.org [16].

Last reviewed February 2007 by Marcin Chwistek, MD [17]

Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical [11] advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health [18] provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical [11] condition.

Links:
[1] http://www.thirdage.com/health-wellness/editorial-staff-and-contributors#DebraW
[2] http://www.thirdage.com/health-wellness/conditions-indepth-heart-attack-0
[3] http://www.thirdage.com/encyclopedia/risk-factors-for-heart-attack
[4] http://www.thirdage.com/encyclopedia/symptoms-of-a-heart-attack
[5] http://www.thirdage.com/encyclopedia/diagnosis-of-heart-attack
[6] http://www.thirdage.com/encyclopedia/treatments-for-heart-attack
[7] http://www.thirdage.com/encyclopedia/screening-for-heart-attack
[8] http://www.thirdage.com/encyclopedia/reducing-your-risk-of-heart-attack
[9] http://www.thirdage.com/encyclopedia/in-his-own-words-living-after-a-heart-attack
[10] http://www.thirdage.com/encyclopedia/resource-guide-for-heart-attack
[11] http://www.thirdage.com/medical-care
[12] http://www.thirdage.com/heart-health
[13] http://www.thirdage.com/cholesterol
[14] http://www.thirdage.com/exercise-fitness
[15] http://www.thirdage.com/sex
[16] http://www.americanheart.org
[17] http://www.thirdage.com/health-wellness/ebsco-publishings-medical-review-board-0#Chwistek
[18] http://www.thirdage.com/health-wellness