Cardiology visit

Why a cardiology consultation is done

The aim of the visit is to understand whether your complaints are related to the heart, how high your cardiovascular risk is and what should be done next. It does not mean that all tests are automatically carried out: the cardiologist chooses those that answer your clinical question. A good visit often ends in reassurance (the heart is fine and the complaints have another cause), but even when a problem is found, early discovery is what makes treatment simpler.

When there is a reason for a consultation

• chest pain or tightness that needs clarification (see chest pain);
• shortness of breath on exertion or at night;
• palpitations, fast or irregular beats (see palpitations);
• unexplained fainting or dizziness;
• swelling (edema) of the legs;
• high blood pressure that is not controlled or that gives high readings at home (see hypertension);
• a heart murmur found by a doctor;
• follow-up of a known heart disease, checks after a heart attack, stent or surgery;
• a family history of early heart disease or sudden death;
• assessment before intense sport or before an operation, when your doctor recommends it (see cardiac assessment before surgery);
• risk factors such as diabetes, high cholesterol, smoking, overweight, especially after age 40–50.

How to prepare

Bring with you:

• a list of all your medicines and doses (including supplements), or the boxes themselves;
• your latest blood tests (lipids, glucose, creatinine, TSH, etc.);
• previous reports and tests: ECG, ultrasound, Holter, angiography, hospital discharge letters;
• your blood pressure log if you measure it at home.

Think beforehand and note down: when the complaints began, how often they come and how long they last, what triggers them (exertion, food, stress, position) and what relieves them. If the complaint comes in episodes, a short video or a note of the time can help. Write down the questions that worry you in advance, because they are often forgotten during the visit.

Do not stop your medicines and do not fast, unless you have been asked to.

What the visit includes

The conversation (history) is the most important part. The cardiologist asks about symptoms, previous illnesses, family history, smoking, alcohol, physical activity, sleep and medicines. Many diagnoses are suspected right here.

Physical examination: blood pressure, pulse, listening to the heart and lungs, checking the legs for swelling, sometimes measuring weight and waist.

An ECG is usually done during the same visit: it records the rhythm and possible signs of thickening, an old heart attack or conduction problems.

Depending on the clinical question, the cardiologist may recommend:

• echocardiography, which assesses the structure, function and valves of the heart;
• Holter ECG, for the rhythm over 24–48 hours;
• ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM), for blood pressure through the day and night;
• laboratory tests, such as lipids, glucose, kidney function, thyroid;
• other tests, such as an exercise test or coronary imaging, in certain cases. An exercise test is not suitable for every patient.

After the visit

You should leave knowing:

• what was found and what it means;
• why each test is recommended and what the result will change;
• which medicines to take, at what dose and why;
• when the next check is due;
• which symptoms need immediate help.

Do not hesitate to ask. A normal visit or ECG does not guarantee that no problem will appear in the future; controlling risk factors (blood pressure, cholesterol, glucose, smoking, weight, activity) matters even when the heart is healthy. It is up to you to book a visit when you need one.

This information is educational and does not replace a medical visit.