Questions to Ask

If you've been diagnosed with heart failure, there are several key questions that you should ask your cardiologist during your next visit. These questions will ensure that you and your doctor have discussed your major risk factors so that you can become or stay as healthy as possible.

• What type of heart failure do I have?
• What is my current heart function?
• What is my prognosis?
• What are my treatment options?
• Which of my medicines is for heart failure?
• How will I know if my condition is getting worse? When should I call you? When should I call 911?
• What is my goal weight?
• If I notice that I am weighing more, at what point should I call you?
• How much exercise can I do and what activities are best? Is it safe for me to exercise on my own?
• Can you review each of the medications I am taking and what they do?
• How much salt can I consume daily?
• How much water/fluids can I drink a day?
• Would I benefit from an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD)?
• Would I benefit from cardiac rehabilitation?
• How often will I need to have my heart checked?