Change In Heartbeat: Preparing For Your Appointment

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Preparing For Your Appointment

To prepare for your appointment, see the topic Making the Most of Your Appointment.

You can help your health professional diagnose and treat your condition by being prepared to answer the following questions:

• Do you have a history of problems with your heart rate or rhythm? If so:
  • Did you see a health professional?
  • What was the diagnosis?
  • What tests were done?
  • How was it treated?
• When did you first notice the change in your heart rate or irregular rhythm? What were you doing when it started? Were you walking, standing, sitting, or lying down?
• Is the change in heart rate or irregular rhythm related to activity, or does it happen when you are resting?
• How often does the change in heart rate or irregular rhythm occur? How long does it last?
• Is the change in heart rate or irregular rhythm related to eating?
• What does the change in heart rate or irregular rhythm feel like?
• Did you have other symptoms with the change in heart rate or irregular rhythm? What were the other symptoms?
• What have you tried at home to relieve the change in heart rate or irregular rhythm?
• Do you have any health risks?

If you have kept a record of your heart rate or rhythm changes, be sure to discuss this with your health professional. See the Home Treatment section for information on keeping a record.

Last updated:	April 27, 2007
Author:	Jan Nissl, RN, BS
Reviewed By:	William M. Green, MD - Emergency Medicine, H. Michael O'Connor, MD - Emergency Medicine
Editors:	Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA, Tracy Landauer