Questions to Ask Your Doctor

At every doctor appointment, be sure to take a list of questions and a pen to record your doctor’s answers. Ask your family or caregiver for questions they have about your condition that should be added to the list.

Test Results

Talk through the results of your blood test, electrocardiogram, chest X-ray, echocardiogram and stress test.

Severity of Your Heart Failure

What is the current state of my heart failure and how is it affecting the function of my heart?
Can I wait to have a procedure to treat my heart failure or do I need it now?

Treatment

What are the advantages and disadvantages of different treatment options?
What procedure are you planning to do?
How many of these procedures have you performed?
What are the risks for my procedure?
How long will the procedure take and how long will I be in the hospital?
Will I be awake for the procedure? If so, will I feel anything?
What can I expect to feel like after my procedure? Will it be very painful?
How does this procedure affect my other health conditions and medications?
If you are receiving an implantable device, ask what type and brand of device.
What do I need to do to prepare for my procedure?
What will be expected of me to ensure the best possible outcome?
What should my caregivers do to prepare for my procedure and recovery?
Will I need any medications before or after my procedure?
Will the procedure permanently treat my heart failure or will I need another procedure or a replacement device at some point?
How long will I be away from work?

Recovery

What are some complications to watch out for following my procedure?
What kinds of things do my family members and friends need to watch out for as my caregivers?
What are healthy lifestyle changes I could make that would aid in my recovery and overall heart health?

Daily Life

Will I be able to do everything I’ve always done, whether it’s running, playing with my kids or grandkids or traveling?
Find out about how regularly you will be meeting with your doctor in the days, weeks, months and years following your procedure.