The Heart & Vascular Center

     Your health can be improved if you take an active role.  For example, when you go to the doctor's office because you have been having a "crushing" pain in your chest for the last few days and the doctor asks you "How have you been?"  If your response is "I feel fine," you are not telling the doctor what really has been happening.  However, you probably figure that the doctor will run a test and then tell you what's the matter.  Doctors and nurses have many valuable medical tests and tools to diagnose your problem, but they are not fool proof.  Believe it or not, doctors cannot "read your mind."  In order to be an equal opportunity partner in your health care, you should share your symptoms and feelings with your doctor. 

     The following is an example of a patient who is not taking charge of his health.  Are you like this patient?  Mr. John Doe has a history of CABG x 4 (open heart surgery), high blood pressure, congestive heart failure, an old heart attack, diabetes, and is overweight.  Six months after his open heart surgery, he notices that he is short of breath while climbing the stairs to his apartment.  He puts up with these symptoms (probably figuring that they will go away) for a few weeks.  Finally, when his legs are swollen so much that his pants are too tight, a family member "forces" him to see a doctor.  From the doctor's office, Mr. Doe is admitted into the hospital. The emergency room physician asks Mr. Doe "How have you been feeling?"  Mr. Doe replies "just fine."  In the hospital, they "drain" two liters of fluid from Mr. Doe's lungs and find that he has an abnormal heart rhythm (atrial fibrillation).  The next day, Mr. Doe is cardioverted (a procedure used to "shock" the heart back into a regular rhythm).  To make a long story short, the fluid build up in Mr. Doe's lungs could have eventually killed him.  Now, how's that for feeling "JUST FINE!"  Ignoring your symptoms will not correct the problem. 

     Other ways you can help is to write things down. Before going to the doctor, write down all of the medicines you are taking.  Be sure to include the name of the medicine, the dose, and how often you take it. Also, write down how you have been feeling.  This includes signs and symptoms.  Even if you feel there is no need or the symptoms are unrelated, it is important to talk to your physician about them. finally, write down any questions you may have for the doctor.  If you do not write them down, you will forget them once you get into the office. 

     Another way you can share in your own health is make sure that all of your medical records arrive before you see the doctor.  This means if you live up north in the summer and in Sarasota for the winter months, you should make every effort to ensure that your records from those summer visits are sent to the physician here in Sarasota and vice versa.  It helps to have a "personal" copy of all your important records whenever you leave or travel. You can ask for copies of your test results or office visits to keep in your personal file.  Also, include the name of all your doctors, their address, phone and fax numbers in your personal file.  However, be prepared to pay for the records (the quality of the care you receive and your health is worth it) and do not expect to get them on the day of your visit.  It may take a few days or even a week or two for the record to be complete. 

     It helps to plan ahead.  Here is the best plan for getting your records:

     *  Be sure to ask for your records ahead of time when they will be needed.
     *  Ask for a Release of Information Form from your healthcare provider's office.
     *  Sign, date, and complete the Release of Information Form.
     *  Carry the form in with you to your visit and let the nurse attach it to your chart.

     *  If you are not going to pick up your records in person and would like the records to be mailed, 
     be  sure to fill in the information on where your records are to be sent as completely as possible 
     (including full name, full address, zip code, and indicate when they are needed).  Many times, this 
     is  where the delays occur.  For example, one patient was vague and wrote "John Hopkins 
     Hospital" as  where the records were to be sent.  You can imagine the time it takes the Medical 
     Records staff to  either call the patient for more information, or to try to solve the rest of the puzzle 
     on their own.
     *  Call the office before you pick them up to ensure they are ready.  Ask how much it will cost 
     when you pick them up, so that you have proper change to expedite the process.

     *  Plan ahead to get your records from all of your doctors' offices.  Get your records from 
     Sarasota  before you leave in the spring and do the same before you return in the fall.  Everyone 
     will benefit  from your planning. 

     These are just a few examples of how you can play a more active role in your own health care.  Securing your medical records, coming into the doctor's office prepared, and open communication between you and your physician should be a regular routine.  A good eating plan, daily exercise, taking your medicines, and reducing stress are only the beginning to being an equal partner in your health!