• Describe Your Symptoms.  As stated above, many different conditions can affect the heart.  Furthermore, patients come to us with many different types of symptoms.  Each patient’s symptoms are unique and need to be explored in detail.  Think about what you are experiencing, and be ready to discuss it in as much details as possible.  For example:
• What do you feel?  A racing heartbeat, chest discomfort, shortness of breath?  Is your chest pain sharp/dull/burning?   
• How long have you experienced your symptoms?
• When do your symptoms occur? 
• How long do your symptoms last when they occur (a few seconds, five minutes, an hour, days)?

• Know Your Medical History.  Bring a list of your known chronic medical conditions (for example:  asthma, diabetes, high blood pressure).  Remember to include any surgeries, previous hospitalizations, or procedures you have had in the past. 

• Know Your Family’s Medical History.  Many medical conditions tend to fun in families.  It is very helpful to know about your family’s medical history.  We are particularly interested in learning about your parents’ or siblings’ medical history.

• Be Candid About Your Habits.  We will ask you about various habits including exercise routines, tobacco, alcohol, and caffeine use.

• Bring All of Your Medications to Your Office Visits.  We request that you bring all of your medicines in their original bottles to your office visits.  It is very important that we have an accurate and complete list of all your current medicines (medication names and prescribed doses).  We also need to know if you are taking any herbal supplements, vitamins, or over-the-counter medications.  If we prescribe a new medicine for you, we need to make sure that it will not interact with anything you are already taking on a daily basis.

• Bring A Copy of Your Results.  Most of our patients have been referred to us by a primary care provider.  If you had an electrocardiogram (EKG), chest x-ray, or any blood tests done by your primary care provider, please bring a copy of it to your appointment.

• Please arrive five minutes before your scheduled appointment.  We use that time to review your patient information and insurance referral forms.  Please remember to also bring your driver’s license and medical insurance card.

Your well being is our number one concern.  We, the physicians and staff of Cardiology of Virginia, appreciate your time and preparation for your first office visit.  Together, we will work to optimize your heart health.