Feel the love: Prepare for a heart-to-heart cardio convo

No doubt you enjoy showering love on those you care about with flowers, gifts or maybe dinner out—not just on Valentine’s Day, but all year. But have you ever considered how important it is to give yourself and those closest to you the gift of a healthy heart?

You can start by talking with your doctor.

Like many of us, you might not ask a lot of questions when you visit your primary care provider. But it’s your appointment, so go knowing what you want to talk about and ask about your heart.

Know your risks

Dr. Lori Tishler, Community Health Options chief medical officer, offers some tips to help you get ready for your heart-to-heart convo.

 “If you’re healthy with no symptoms, ask about your risk factors, knowing that age is the biggest risk factor we can do nothing about,” Tishler says. “And if you want to stay healthy as you age, that means you should do what you can to prevent heart disease.”

Heart disease is the leading cause of death for people across the country, including in Maine. But here’s the thing: The Cleveland Clinic, one of the world’s largest heart treatment centers, says 90% of heart disease can be prevented.

Make sure you let your doctor know about any family history along with chatting about these risks:

• High cholesterol
• High blood pressure
• Diabetes
• Tobacco smoking

“Sometimes people think their risk is much, much higher than it actually is,” Tishler says. “They say, ‘Oh, my dad died of a heart attack so I’m going to die of a heart attack.’ It may be that you are truly at a higher risk, or it may be that your dad died of a heart attack when he was 97, putting you at average or less risk.”

Ask your primary care provider (PCP) to put your risks into context. For instance, discuss what a healthy cholesterol level looks like for you. Or how to work toward a healthier weight without feeling like you need to drop from a size 20 to a size 6. Or how to build a plan to quit tobacco, maybe using a wellness program offered by your health plan or employer.

Blood pressure, cholesterol and diabetes screening are among the free tests included in a preventive visit, provided you haven’t already been diagnosed with a condition. (Learn more about which preventive services are covered in our blog.)

Manage symptoms and specific risks

Talk to your doctor about whether tests beyond basic screenings could help if you have risks, like having a lot of family members with heart problems—or if you have high cholesterol, high blood pressure,  diabetes or other conditions.

If you do have some conditions that could lead to heart disease, find out whether you should get treatment. If your doctor suggests a drug or treatment you can’t tolerate, like a statin for cholesterol, ask about other options. “There’s a ton your primary care doc can do,” Tishler says.

Most important, if you have chest pain or pressure that’s not going away—and often for women, pain in your jaw—call 911 or go to an emergency room.

If you have pain, dizziness or pressure that comes and goes when you exert yourself but gets better when you sit down—like after doing chores or exercise—you’ll need to see your PCP sooner than later.

Community Health Options Members without a PCP can choose one—including virtual primary care through Firefly Health for Members 18 and over—in their Member portal. Members can also find details about specific plan benefits, including coverage for preventive and non-preventive services.

Have a question about plans and what’s covered, or need help finding a PCP? Call Member Services at (855) 624-6463 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday.

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