How-to-patient: cardiology appointment edition

Day 1,414.

It's almost time for my annual cardiology appointment with my cardiologist at my local hospital in New Zealand. These appointments only come around once a year, and I have come up with an approach to get the most out of my limited time with the cardiologist.

Preparing for the appointment

Throughout the year I add notes to my phone about how I am feeling and any concerning symptoms. When it's about a week before my appointment, I review these notes and create a list of questions and topics that I want to discuss with the cardiologist.

I have a whole spreadsheet of symptoms, actually, from 2022 to today in 2026.

My symptoms have shifted from a multitude of body areas impacted to mainly cardiac in 2026.

My latest Troponin T test results have been quite stable

I might do a separate blog post about my Symptoms spreadsheet.

I also make sure that I refresh my memory of any topics I researched on the Internet - if there are any that I want to raise with the cardiologist or any information that I want to know that the cardiologist may not care to tell me.

I normally also asked the husband if he has any questions, as I typically go to these appointments alone.

What I take with me

On the day, I make sure that my phone is charged. I will need it to access all the questions and notes that I prepared on my phone. I also use my phone to browse the Internet and look at social media before the appointment in the waiting room - to keep myself busy while waiting.

I like to take water and a snack. Or a cup of coffee from the hospital cafe. Most of the time appointments are on time, but sometimes they are behind and there may be a bit of waiting.

What I wear

Socks - I never want to be barefoot in a hospital or any medical facility. I don't like people seeing my feet. Weirdo, I know.

Button up shirt - for easy access by nurses and technicians for scans and ECGs. Not all cardiology appointments have an echo (scan), all of them tend to have an ECG where you get covered in circular stickies and leads.

My least favourite part of the visit is the weigh in at the start of the appointment. Although you don’t have to change outfits for this, I don’t recommend wearing your heaviest winter jacket. 🙂