What to Expect During Your First Cardiology Appointment

Accounting for about 20% of all deaths in the United States, heart disease is the leading killer of both women and men across the country. Often, you won’t know you have heart disease until you develop symptoms, and by that point, it may be too late to stop permanent damage. 

At Bridgewater Primary Care & Cardiology, LLC, in West Bridgewater, Massachusetts, Dr. John Terzian offers a broad range of diagnostic testing to assess the health of your heart. 

As with many medical conditions, early diagnosis gives you the broadest selection of treatment options as well as the best long-term prognosis. If you’re suffering from heart disease symptoms or if you have one or more contributing risk factors, the time for a cardiology appointment is now. Here’s what you can expect. 

Preparing for your first cardiology appointment 

Usually, there’s no special preparation necessary for your initial cardiology assessment. It’s a good idea to wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing with a top that’s easy to remove in case you need a test, such as one that requires chest sensors. Skip body lotions on the day of your appointment since they may interfere with the adhesive used to attach the sensors.

There may be paperwork for you to complete ahead of your consultation, so it’s a good idea to aim for an arrival about 15 minutes ahead of your scheduled time. If you’re nervous about your appointment and worried you’ll miss important information, it’s okay to bring a support person to help out. They might take notes or help you remember things you want to share with Dr. Terzian. 

Medical history and review

We’ll start with a review of your symptoms and risk factors and look into the reasons why you’re here for an exam. Your medical history may be pertinent, as will other medical conditions, including prescription and over-the-counter medications, as well as dietary supplements, regardless of your reasons for taking them. 

Your family’s medical history may hold important clues about your heart health. We’ll ask if any close relatives have or have had any of the conditions categorized as heart disease. 

Some conditions may be relevant if you or a family member have them or had them in the past. These include: 

• Congenital heart defects
• High blood pressure
• High cholesterol
• Coronary artery disease
• Diabetes, type 1 or type 2
• Stroke

We’ll ask about lifestyle habits, including: 

• Alcohol, drug, and tobacco use
• Diet
• Activity and exercise
• Stress and stress management

Please bring up any other information you think may be important, even if it’s not heart-related. 

Exam components

You’ll start with a physical exam, including your vital signs. Dr. Terzian performs a general physical exam, listening to your heart and lungs as well as a visual scan to check for problems like swelling. 

First appointment tests are usually limited to: 

• Chest X-ray
• Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG): measures your heart’s electrical signals
• Blood testing: unless you’re instructed otherwise, there’s no need to fast before your appointment

If you require more intensive testing, we’ll schedule that for a later date. 

Call or click to book an appointment with Bridgewater Primary Care & Cardiology, LLC. We are conveniently located near Boston and proudly extend our services to communities throughout Norfolk, Plymouth, Bristol, and Providence counties, including Braintree, Canton, Stoughton, Westwood, Norwood, and Walpole. 

Whether you're in Foxborough, Easton, Brockton, or Abington, we're just a short drive away. We also welcome clients from West Bridgewater, East Bridgewater, Bridgewater, and Middleborough, as well as Taunton, Norton, Mansfield, and Attleboro. 

Our reach extends to Rehoboth, Somerset, Swansea, Fall River, Westport, Dartmouth, New Bedford, and even further to Wareham, Plymouth, and Pembroke. Rhode Island residents in Providence, East Providence, and Warwick can also rely on our services.