Questions To Ask About Your Vascualar Health

Not Sure What to Ask at Your Visit?

Use this guide to help you prepare. These questions are meant for anyone who wants to better understand their heart and blood vessel health—whether you’re newly diagnosed, managing ongoing risks, or just trying to stay healthy.

You don’t need to ask all of these. Just take a look at this list and pick the ones that matter to you most!

General Vascular Health

• What steps can I take to keep my blood vessels healthy as I age?

• What do my blood pressure and cholesterol numbers mean?

• How often should my blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar levels be checked?

• Should I be screened regularly for heart or vascular disease?

• Should I have any additional tests, like a coronary artery calcium score (to check for plaque in my heart arteries) or ankle-brachial index (to check blood flow in my legs), to better assess my risks?

• Are there lifestyle changes that would help protect my vascular health?

• What is my current risk for heart attack or stroke, and how is it calculated?

• Are there medications I should be taking to lower my risk of cardiovascular disease like statins (for cholesterol) or antihypertensives (for blood pressure)?

• How do my other health conditions (like diabetes or kidney disease) affect my vascular risk?

• Do I need blood work or other tests at this visit, and why?

Stroke

• Am I at risk for stroke, and what signs should I watch for?

• What do I do if I notice signs of a stroke?

• Do I need medicine or other treatment to lower my stroke risk?

• Do I need medications to lower my risk of stroke, such as blood pressure medicines, statins, or anticoagulants?

• Should I be screened for carotid artery disease or other stroke risk factors? 

• What happens after a stroke, and what should I expect in recovery?

• Are there things I should avoid to reduce my stroke risk?

Blood Clots

• I’ve had a clot before—what signs should I watch for that mean I need medical help?

• I’m on birth control (or another medication that raises clot risk)—what are signs of a blood clot I should know about?

• If I’m worried about a clot coming back, what early signs should I look for and when should I call my doctor?

• What warning signs mean I should get checked for another clot?

• How long do I need to take my blood thinners after a clot?

• What are the risks and benefits of taking medications for blood clots?

• How will I be monitored for any complications from these medicines?

• Can I travel safely, and what precautions should I take?

• What can I do to prevent another clot in the future?

Atrial Fibrillation

• What is atrial fibrillation, and how do I know if I have it?

• What does my CHA₂DS₂‑VASc (pronounced: Chadsvasc score) score mean, and do I need blood thinners?

• Are there treatments to help control my heart rhythm or rate?

• How often should my heart rhythm and rate be monitored? 

• How does afib increase my risk for stroke or clots?

• Do I need to take a blood thinner to reduce my stroke risk, and what are the options?

• Should I think about a wearable device to track my heart rhythm?

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Diabetes and High Blood Pressure

• How do diabetes and high blood pressure increase my risk for vascular disease?

• What are my target blood pressure and blood sugar levels?

• How do you monitor for complications related to diabetes or hypertension?

• How does diabetes affect my heart and blood vessels?

• Are there steps I can take now to protect my arteries?

• Do I need medications to reduce my risk for heart disease or stroke?

• How does my A1C or blood sugar level relate to my vascular health?

Barriers to Care

• How can I be involved in decisions about my care and treatment options?

• Are there lower-cost options for my medications, tests, or follow-up visits?

• What support is available if I have trouble getting to appointments or picking up medications?

• What should I do if I can’t afford my medications?

• How can I make healthy changes if I don’t have access to safe places to exercise or affordable food?

• Is there anyone to help me navigate my insurance policy or insurance-related questions?