Do you plan to book an appointment with the heart doctor soon? Here's what you can expect when you visit your Rockville, and Olney, MD, cardiologist, Dr. Leith Abdulla.

Before you see the heart doctor

When you arrive at the office, you'll be greeted by friendly staff members who will check you in and take your new patient forms. A nurse will check your weight, blood pressure, pulse rate, temperature, and breathing rate and ask about your symptoms and reason for the visit. Once this information is recorded, you'll see the cardiologist.

Your appointment with the cardiologist

When you visit the Rockville, or Olney offices, your cardiologist will perform an examination and discuss your symptoms. They'll also want to know about diseases and conditions that run in your family.

Remembering all the little details of your medical history can be a little challenging. It's a good idea to create a list that includes the medications you take and past illnesses and surgeries. If you've been making notes about when your symptoms occur and what seems to trigger them, sharing that information with the heart doctor can also be helpful.

After examining you and discussing your symptoms and medical history, your cardiologist may recommend a few tests that will help determine if a problem with your heart is causing your symptoms. These tests may include:

• Urine and blood tests
• Electrocardiogram (EKG)
• Stress test
• Non-stress test
• Holter monitoring
• Echocardiogram
• Echo stress or nuclear stress test
• Angiogram
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computed tomography (CT), or positron emission tomography (PET) scans

These tests provide valuable information on the way your heart works and looks and can reveal heart damage. Based on the tests, examination, and symptoms, your cardiologist will recommend a treatment plan if you are diagnosed with a heart problem. Some heart issues can be treated with medication and lifestyle changes, while others may require cardiac procedures or surgery.

Are you ready to book an appointment with your cardiologist in Rockville, and Olney, MD? Schedule an appointment with Dr. Abdulla by calling (301) 881-5858 or (301) 774-5260.