Cardio Res-Q is designed to add to the care you already have, not to replace it. You keep your cardiologist or primary care doctor. Many of our patients bring their assessment and plan into that relationship, and we are happy to share results and work with your existing providers.
This holds for both entry points, the Comprehensive Assessment ($775) and the Enhanced Assessment ($999). What follows explains who does what, where the new results slot into care you already receive, and how to keep everyone working from one plan.
Key takeaways
- Your regular doctor stays your regular doctor, and Cardio Res-Q results are meant to travel to them.
- Our clinic focuses on early risk detection and prevention, while cardiologists diagnose and treat established disease.
- Some tests in the assessment have stronger guideline support than others, so your doctor may act on some and not all.
- Keep one medication and supplement list that every clinician can see.
Who does what
| Need | Cardio Res-Q at YoungerMeMD | Your cardiologist or primary care doctor |
|---|---|---|
| Early risk detection in people who feel well | Yes, this is the purpose of the assessment | Varies by practice |
| A written prevention plan | Yes, included in both assessments | Varies by practice |
| Diagnosing and treating existing heart disease | No | Yes |
| Chest pain or other acute symptoms | No. Call 911 | Emergency and cardiology care |
| Procedures such as stents | No | Yes, through cardiology |
| Your general, insurance-based care | No. The assessment is direct-pay | Yes |
A cardiologist is trained to diagnose and treat existing cardiovascular disease. Our focus sits earlier: finding and addressing risk before disease develops. The two fit together. For a fuller comparison, see Cardio Res-Q vs. a cardiologist visit.
What there is to share
After your assessment you receive three things:
- A full review of all laboratory and imaging findings.
- A detailed explanation of your cardiovascular risk profile.
- A clear, structured, personalized plan.
All three are worth passing on. The mechanics are not on our program page: how records are sent, how long it takes, and what written permission we need from you. Medical offices generally need your consent to release records, so expect to be asked. Confirm the steps with our team.
Where the results slot into care you already have
If you already take a statin or blood pressure medication. Many patients use the assessment to see whether their current treatment is controlling their risk well enough. Take the results to whoever prescribes for you. Do not start, stop or change a medication on your own.
If you have a cardiologist. Send the results before your next visit so there is time to read them. Tell your cardiologist what was tested and why you chose to do it.
If you only see a primary care doctor. The results give your doctor more to work with than a standard panel: ApoB, Lp(a), hs-CRP, homocysteine, insulin, glucose and A1c, plus imaging if you chose the Enhanced Assessment.
If a result needs a specialist. Coordinated referrals are listed as part of the YoungerMeMD membership. If you are not a member, ask our team how a referral would be handled, or ask your primary care doctor to arrange one.
If you have no regular doctor. It is worth getting one. Cardio Res-Q is not emergency care and is not a replacement for a cardiologist.
Why your doctor may weigh some results differently
Go in expecting a mixed response. The tests in the assessment do not all carry the same weight in mainstream guidance.
- Measuring Lp(a) has clear backing. A European consensus panel recommends testing Lp(a) at least once in adults.1
- Calcium scoring and hs-CRP are more debated as screening tools. The US Preventive Services Task Force concluded that the evidence is insufficient to judge the balance of benefits and harms of adding a calcium score or hs-CRP to traditional risk assessment in adults without symptoms.2
- CIMT has the least support. The 2013 ACC/AHA risk assessment guideline does not recommend routine CIMT measurement for predicting a first heart event.3
So a doctor who acts on your calcium score and Lp(a) but sets the CIMT aside is not dismissing you. They are applying the evidence as they read it. That is useful information, and it is a reason to share everything, including the results you expect them to discount.
Keeping one plan instead of two
- One medication list. Your Cardio Res-Q plan may include supplement and peptide therapy recommendations. Show the full list to your doctor and your pharmacist before adding anything, so interactions can be checked.
- One prescriber per medication. The clinic prescribes statins and non-statin medicines case by case, so agree with your doctor on who writes and adjusts each prescription.
- No duplicate testing. Tell each office what the other has ordered. Our article on how often to repeat heart tests can help you spot repeats that add nothing.
- Open disagreement. If the advice differs, ask each clinician for their reasoning and then decide with the one who prescribes for you. Our question list for your doctor gives you wording to use.
How to book
Go to the Cardio Res-Q program page, select the Comprehensive ($775) or Enhanced ($999) assessment, and pay online. Both are direct-pay and are not billed to insurance. Patients are welcome to try an HSA or FSA card, but the clinic cannot confirm it will be accepted, and it does not provide insurance reimbursement forms. When you book, tell our team which doctors you would like your results shared with.
If you have chest pain, pressure, shortness of breath or fainting, do not wait for a results review or a records transfer. Call 911.
Are You a Candidate for Cardio Res-Q?
Three quick questions about the risk factors we screen for. Your answers stay between you and the clinic.
Frequently asked questions
Are my results sent to my doctor automatically?
The program page says we are happy to share results and collaborate with your existing providers. It does not say this happens automatically, so ask our team and name the doctors you want included.
Does my doctor have to agree with the plan?
No, and you do not need their approval to have the assessment. Their view still matters, especially on medication. Where the two opinions overlap is usually the safest place to start.
Can my own doctor handle the follow-up?
Yes. The assessment is complete and stands alone, and ongoing care with us is optional. You can take your results and plan to your own doctor.
Will my doctor's office repeat the tests?
Possibly. Some practices prefer results from their own lab, and insurance rules can play a part. Bring the full reports with dates and units so your doctor can decide what does not need repeating.
Related reading
This article is for general education and is not medical advice. Decisions about testing and medication should be made with your clinician. If you have chest pain or other symptoms of a heart attack, call 911.
