Skip to: content | navigation

Questions to Ask Your Doctor

see also: Main Story | Tests That Can Help Protect Your Heart

  1. What is my risk for heart disease?
  2. What is my blood pressure? What does it mean for me, and what do I need to do about it?
  3. What are my cholesterol numbers? (These include total cholesterol, LDL or "bad cholesterol, HDL or "good" cholesterol, and triglycerides.) What do they mean for me, and what do I need to do about them?
  4. What are my "body mass index" and waist measurement? Do they indicate that I need to lose weight for my health?
  5. What is my blood sugar level, and does it mean I'm at risk for diabetes?
  6. What other screening tests for heart disease do I need? How often should I return for check-ups for my heart health?
  7. What can you do to help me quit smoking?
  8. How much physical activity do I need to help protect my heart?
  9. What is a heart-healthy eating plan for me? Should I see a registered dietitian or a qualified nutritionist to learn more about healthy eating
  10. How can I tell if I'm having a heart attack?

Source: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
National Institutes of Health
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute



©1997-2008 American Speech-Language-Hearing Association - Copyright Notice and Legal Disclaimer