Heart Health Questions to Bring to Your Doctor

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About my risk

• What is my estimated 10-year risk, and which calculator did you use?
• Do I have any risk-enhancing factors, such as family history, an inflammatory condition or early menopause?
• Has my Lp(a) ever been measured? If not, can it be added once?
• Would measuring ApoB add anything to my cholesterol panel?

About testing

• Would a coronary calcium score change what we do? If so, when should I have it?
• What does the scan involve, how much radiation, and what will it cost me?
• If something unexpected shows up on the scan, what happens next?
• How often, if ever, should each of these tests be repeated?

About my results

• What do my numbers mean for me specifically, not just against the lab range?
• Which single result concerns you most, and why?
• What are my options, including doing nothing for now?
• What would make you recommend medication, and what are the alternatives?

About next steps

• What should I change first, and how will we know it is working?
• When will we recheck, and which numbers?
• Which symptoms should make me call you, and which should make me call 911?
• Can you send these results to my other doctors?

For background on any of these, see the Cardio Res-Q Guide, especially questions to ask before booking heart screening. This checklist is general education. It does not diagnose, and it does not replace a conversation with a clinician who knows your history. If you have chest pain, shortness of breath or other symptoms of a heart attack or stroke, call 911.