Cardiology appointments can feel high-stakes — they often involve complex information about heart function, medication decisions and discussions of long-term risk. Arriving well-prepared makes the consultation more efficient, more accurate and less stressful.
Records to bring
- Recent ECG — ideally digital, not just a printout; cardiologists often want to load the raw data
- Any recent echocardiogram report — and the images if possible
- Cardiac monitoring results — Holter monitor, event recorder or smartwatch-detected arrhythmia logs
- All recent blood tests — including lipids, kidney function, BNP or troponin if measured
- Full medication list — including doses; specify when each was started
- Blood pressure readings from home — a log of the past 2–4 weeks is far more useful than one reading taken in the clinic
- Symptom diary — when palpitations, chest pain, breathlessness or dizziness occur; what triggers them; how long they last
Questions worth preparing
- What does this diagnosis mean for my day-to-day life and long-term outlook?
- What specific activities or exertion levels are safe for me?
- Should I be monitoring anything at home — heart rate, blood pressure — and at what threshold should I seek help?
- If I'm being prescribed a new medication, what are the most important side effects to watch for?
- Do I need a procedure or is this being managed with medication alone?
- When will I next be reviewed, and what should happen between now and then?
After the appointment
Upload the cardiology letter to your Looms record when it arrives. Set up any medication reminders for new prescriptions. Log blood pressure readings regularly so the next appointment starts with a full picture, not a blank.