Phone appointment with Cardiology

[Tomatoed]

I have a Phone appointment with Cardiology

on Thursday, 24 April 2025 at 9 am,

Any tips on what to ask

What will they say?

Any advice or help; this is all new to me.

[wattsy1985]

It might help if you have some context regarding the call. I would say write down as many questions as you can think off; it's very easy to freeze when you are on the call and forget to ask what you wanted too. Don't be afraid to ask them to repeat themselves if you don't understand or ask for it to be simplified if they are talking at a high level.

[Tomatoed in reply to wattsy1985]

Hi, Wattsy1985. This is from 8/1/2025. It is a screenshot from my TTE study, if it helps.

N/A

[wattsy1985 in reply to Tomatoed]

Hi Tomatoed,

I'm not a doctor, and I don't think anyone else on this forum is either. We usually share insights based on our own experiences. The left ventricular dimensions and function seem to be in good shape according to the reading. The main concerns might be the aortic valve and mitral valve, and any potential damage there. Treatment options could include medication or possibly surgery, depending on the severity.

This might allow you to start planning some questions, also some considerations might be around lifestyle etc and making some changes there to help

[Silvermedal in reply to Tomatoed]

I spoke to the BHF nurse helpline about my medical report before I spoke to the doctor and this helped. Phone consultations are tricky, just think through as much as you can and make a clear list. Make sure you have asked all the questions on your list.

[Happyrosie]

in addition to writing down whatever questions you have, can I suggest you have someone with you as well. They can prompt you if need be and tick off your questions. And write down whatever the doc says. You out your phone on loudspeaker, or some hospitals can offer video calling.

You could discuss all this in advance with this someone. They might suggest some questions to be asked.

[PadThaiNoodles]

Ask them if they can tell the cause of the valve issues and how fast it might progress (if at all).

My valves started out in about the same state when I was first diagnosed. It took 20 years for them to reach the point where I required surgery. The cause of mine is myxomatous degenerative valve disease (ie: bad connective tissue genes).

[Zerohere]

if I understand from the posts that have replied to you it is related to your valves then from my own experience having had a mitral valve repair recently some questions to ask can it be repaired, if not are they contemplating a tissue replacement or mechanical.

You may well find the answer was as in my case we can’t tell till we operate, however I was told by the consultant that if it needed replacing then it would be a mechanical valve.

That itself poses questions as that comes with lifetime medication which most doctors put you on warfarin which means regular ongoing monitoring.

Hope this helps a little.

[Gooner1947]

I've had 3 appointments with different cardiologists at different stages of my condition. If possible, would be good to know where you are at? For example have you had an echocardiogram or even a coronary angiogram yet?

Take care

Peter

[fishonabike]

If you do make a list of questions, write them out again in the order of importance to you - if you have a lot of questions you may not get to ask them all so it's helpful to put them in order

Also if your phone is on speaker and/or someone is with you, tell the cardiologist about this and ask if they have anyone with them - also if you want to record the call you must ask permission

[Chinkoflight]

Hi Tomatoed, it's a good question and any advice I give you is because I failed to follow my own advice! It's always challenging as they have their own clear agenda which as far as they are concerned is strictly time limited and minimalist in my experience. As a patient you answer their questions and defer. Sometimes what they say and ask is not what you are expecting and it throws you. You then don't find time, forget or feel maybe you're questions are a bit superfluous.So what is it you most want to know? Eg have they a diagnosis or a name for your condition? Have they any advice on diet? Is this symptom a sign of a negative side effects from the medication? Etc etc.

Write your questions in order of importance and keep them in your hand , preferably put the phone on hands free speakerphone so you can take notes. If you know how to record it do so.

Don't be frivolous , don't set out to build a rapport (if that happens it's a bonus and you have a medic with good interpersonal skills), don't be apologetic

All easier said than done. Maybe also have somebody else with you if on speakerphone also taking notes. But not if they are distracting and intervening from the sidelines. I'll say no more.

Hope it goes well , et us know!

[SuddenShock]

You probably want to wait and be guided by the cardiology dept rather than trying to lead. They know what they are doing and know what they need to find out from you (which is probably more important than what you find out from them)

If you have any thoughts or concerns then yes write them down and if the call doesn't answer then you can ask

[annpavitt250448]

I had a,phone consult last year. Had a list of things I wanted to say. Never got the chance first thing cardiologist said I think another angiography is the way forward. A,couple of months later ( after a hiccup as,his Secretary was on holiday and referral to the cardiothoratic was,delayed, ended up with another stent.

[momander]

Hello,

You don't tell us why you have this appointment so it is difficult to know what to say. As none of us are allowed to give medical advice, I would perhaps make a list of questions you may want to ask about your condition. Maybe also consider having someone there with you as a support

[Jetcat]

hi tom, Iv had just recently had another 6 monthly cardiologist phone appointment. I find it handy to have some questions jotted down to ask. Anything that’s been on your mind or you’re not sure about etc.? I was on the phone a good ten minutes if not longer.

The first thing he or she will ask is how have you been keeping.!! So look at your questions and start the conversation off.👍

As each question is answered run a line through it and move on to your next and so on. Hopefully you will get a nice productive phone appointment 👍

Let us know how you get on.

All the best.

Ron👍

[Misscrisps]

Hi I've just got a phone appointment too for 11/4. I am very disappointed it's not face to face as I am right at the start of this journey and was referred following a GP visit following a sudden chest pain/sweating/fainting incident and a trip to A&E following a second where the pain went into my jaw and down my arm. I have no diagnosis but given a spray in case it's angina. The tests I've had were an ECG, chest x-ray and bloods. How can I be diagnosed by phone? I'm really worried and scared.

[Jaybbb in reply to Misscrisps]

I agree with you that in many cases, a face to face appointment is MUCH more valuable for the patient. I know that ALL my visits --the doctor listens to my heart/lungs, notes in his summary my BP and temp, and often checks my ankles for swelling. The Cardiologist also notes his observations regarding alertness, speech, general (medical) appearance, etc, etc

[Jaybbb]

Questions for your doctor? I never, never, visit with any doctor without have at least 10 good questions written out, organized, and follow-up. And before leaving, make sure I did not skip anything. I also suggest you ask him the prognosis for the next few years, and what should you be doing to address and improve your health.