Listen to Your Heart
This month, we’ve talked about spending time with your pet, your partner and your BFF, but there’s one more person you need to spend regular time with when it comes to matters of the heart – your doctor.
There’s no such thing as talking about your heart health too early. Being proactive is always a good idea, even if you’re young or healthy enough to put any cardiac concerns on the back burner. And, for many of us, early risk factors, like weight gain, elevated blood pressure, and certain lifestyle habits can harm your heart before you even realize it is happening.
If it feels overwhelming to start a conversation with your doctor, here are five things you can ask at your next appointment:
- Do I have any risk factors (pre-existing conditions, demographic, family history, etc.) for heart disease?
- Is there anything about my lifestyle that could put me at a higher risk of cardiovascular disease?
- Does my blood pressure, cholesterol reading, or heart rate reflect anything I should be aware of? And, if so, what should I do to address those issues?
- Should I have an electrocardiogram or any other tests to use as a baseline in case things change?
- If I need further heart screening, is there a cardiologist you recommend?
See your doctor at least once a year for a check-up. That’s the perfect time to ask these questions.
When was the last time you had a check-up? If it has been more than a year, or if you have any health concerns, make an appointment with your primary care provider. And remember how we talked about recording your family history yesterday? Bring that information and the questions above with you to your next appointment.