You’ve seen your doctor. Or you’ve just been discharged, had a test or a procedure. Like a good patient, you’ve scheduled a follow-up. But is that follow-up visit necessary?
The answer is yes. Consider this study done by the National Library of Medicine on patients recently diagnosed with congestive heart failure. Findings show that patients who follow-up with their provider for scheduled visits fared much better than those that didn’t.1
So, what exactly happens during a follow-up that is so critical to your longer term cardiac health? Here are the most critical reasons not to “skip” that scheduled follow-up at your cardiologist’s office.
Prescription Medication 101
The most important reason not to miss your appointment is around prescribed medications.
Sometimes when patients get discharged from the hospital, they’re confused over the medications they’ve received to go home with — either the instructions, or just the medications themselves.
During the follow-up appointment is the time that a provider and patient can review and discuss such topics as:
- What is the intended use or purpose of each prescribed medication
- Why the patient has been prescribed a specific medication and dose
- Any potential side effects that should be looked out for or considered
- Alternative options to a certain medication if applicable or warranted
- Best practices for how to take a medication, and for how long
Additional Outpatient Testing
Follow-ups are also crucial for ensuring that any required tests or procedures are completed in the outpatient setting — as prescribed, on schedule.
This is especially critical for those recently diagnosed with heart failure.
In a National Library of Medicine study among heart failure patients — individuals who follow-up with their scheduled care and appointments significantly have a better outcome than those that don’t.
Once diagnosed, patients who opt not to follow-up with prescribed appointments and provider care tend to have a higher number of visits to an ER, admittance to a hospital, and a higher rate of mortality.2
Patient Understanding and Education of Diagnosis
Maybe in the hospital you were nervous, tired, or just didn’t have the time to comprehend your provider’s recommendations. It is a common situation, and not one to be afraid of admitting to.
Fortunately, the follow-up appointment is the ideal time to ask about any questions you may have. The follow-up will help your cardiologist get to know you better, encouraging a good working relationship in the future.
Back To What You Live For
By making — and keeping — a follow-up appointment, you are being proactive about treating heart disease and putting your heart and health on the path to a positive outcome.
In doing so, you are helping our expert professionals truly get you back to what you live for. In fact, asking your physician for the date and time of your follow-up appointment before you have been discharged is a great proactive approach to preventing another visit to the Emergency Department.
For More Information, visit us at Cooper & Inspira Cardiac Care.
