For Patients
Knowing the shape of the process makes it far less daunting. Here is how a cardiac assessment usually unfolds, from the first appointment to long-term follow-up.
Five stages, each with a clear purpose — and at every stage, an explanation of what has been found and what happens next.
Most patients are referred by a general practitioner, physician or another specialist. Bringing a referral letter, previous ECGs, reports and a list of your current medication makes the first consultation considerably more useful.
A detailed history and a cardiovascular examination form the basis of the assessment. Expect questions about the character and timing of symptoms, your medical background, family history and lifestyle, followed by a discussion of what the likely explanations are.
Where tests are needed, they are selected to answer a specific question — an ECG, an echocardiogram, a stress test, ambulatory monitoring, blood tests, or in some cases coronary angiography. Each is explained before it is arranged.
The findings are brought together into a diagnosis and a plan. This may involve medication, risk factor management, an interventional procedure, or referral for surgery. The reasoning behind the recommendation is set out so that the decision is a shared one.
Cardiac care is rarely a single visit. Follow-up confirms that treatment is working, allows medication to be adjusted, and keeps blood pressure, cholesterol and diabetes under review as part of long-term prevention.
Contact the practice to arrange a first appointment or to ask what to bring with you.