Preparation
In most cases, your physician (primary care physician, emergency physician, diabetologist, etc.) will refer you to a cardiologist. To help the cardiologist establish an accurate diagnosis, it is advised to prepare for your consultation by following these steps:
- List your personal history, whether cardiovascular, medical, surgical or gynecological.
- List your family history, especially information related to cardiovascular disease.
- List all medication you are taking.
- Specify any allergies you may have (medicines, food or other).
- Indicate any risk factors you may have (smoking, chronic illnesses, etc.).
- List all cardiovascular symptoms or warning signs that you may have experienced.
- Bring your medical file with you, especially if it contains an electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) and/or a complete laboratory work-up and liver function test (blood test).
- If you have a blood pressure machine at home, take your blood pressure and write down the measurements over a three-day period, three times a day (in the morning, at noon and in the evening).
Please bring these documents with you to your appointment:
- prescription
- health insurance card (carte vitale)
- complementary health insurance card
Initial interview
During your appointment, you will meet with the cardiologist in their office or in a dedicated room. You will first be asked questions so that your physician will get to know you better. During this exchange of information, the cardiologist will take notes about your medical history, symptoms and lifestyle habits and will study any documents you may have brought with you.
The cardiologist may ask you the following questions:
– Do you have chest pain?
– Do you experience palpitations, dizziness or shortness of breath?
– Do you have a family history of heart disease?
– Do you smoke or drink alcohol?
– Do you exercise?
– Do you take any medication?
During the appointment, the physician will probably give you a lot of information. Don’t hesitate to take notes if you feel the need to do so. Similarly, you can prepare a list of questions beforehand that you would like to ask the physician during your appointment.
Clinical exam
After the initial interview, the cardiologist will perform a baseline clinical examination, which generally includes:
- Measuring your blood pressure.
- Using a stethoscope to listen (auscultate) your heart and lungs to detect any abnormal sounds.
- Take your pulse.
At the end of the physical exam, the cardiologist will decide if additional exams need to be performed, such as:
- Electrocardiogram (EKG) : This exam records the electrical activity in the heart and is often done on-site during the consultation.
- Cardiac ultrasound : This exam is used to visualize the structure of your heart (valves, walls, atria, ventricles, etc.).
- Holter monitor : A Holter monitor is a portable ECG that is worn for 24 to 48 hours, so as to monitor your heart rate over a longer period of time.
- Stress test : This test measures your heart’s response to exercise, usually performed on a treadmill or exercise bike.
Often, another appointment needs to be made for an ultrasound and stress test, because these exams usually aren’t carried out on the same day as your initial appointment. If you are asked to wear a Holter monitor, a date will be set to collect the device, and you will be given instructions on how to use it.
Diagnosis and treatment plan
Once the various tests have been performed, the cardiologist will give you a preliminary diagnosis and will discuss with you the next steps to be taken. This may include:
- Making adjustments to your lifestyle, such as following diet or physical exercise recommendations, or quitting smoking.
- Taking prescription medications to treat certain conditions such as heart failure or high blood pressure.
- In some cases, more in-depth tests, such as an angiography, may be suggested.
- Sometimes surgery is needed to manage certain heart rhythm disorders. To learn more about surgical interventions, click here.
Follow-ups
Depending on the diagnosis given, the cardiologist may schedule regular follow-up consultations to monitor your health and make adjustments to your treatment.
In summary, a cardiology consultation combines an in-depth interview, medical examinations and sometimes additional examinations to evaluate your heart health so as to be able to provide you with suitable therapeutic care for your situation.
