Talk to Your Doctor
Start a list of questions you want to ask your doctor at your next visit. Remember that your doctor only has a limited amount of time to be with you, so write down your questions in order of importance and bring them with you.
Below are some questions you might consider asking:
- What are my risk factors for heart disease?
- What can I do to lower my risk of heart disease?
- What should my blood pressure be? If it's high, what can I do about it?
- What do my cholesterol numbers mean?
- (if you smoke) What can I do to stop smoking and how long will it take to reduce my risk?
- Can taking birth control pills or using the birth control patch increase my risk for heart disease?
- What should I know about the effects of menopause on heart disease?
- Do I need to make any changes in diet or exercise or how much rest I get?
- How can I tell if I'm having a heart attack?
Questions to ask about new medications:
- What is the medicine suppose to do?
- How and when do I take it, and for how long?
- What should I avoid (foods, drinks, other medications) while taking this medicine?
- What are the possible side effects?
- Where can I get more information about this drug?
If you don't understand something, ask for an explanation in simple language.
Symptoms for Women
Guidelines and Resources for Women
Shared Strengths - Survivor Stories
Bingo in the Heart of Maine
Wisdom Gained from the Heart
