Preparing for an appointment

If you or your child has valve disease, you will be referred to a doctor trained in evaluating and treating heart conditions (cardiologist).

Here's some information to help you get ready for your appointment.

What you can do

• Write down symptoms you or your child has, including any that may seem unrelated to the reason for which you scheduled the appointment.
• Write down key personal information, including major stresses or recent illnesses.
• List all medications, vitamins and supplements you or your child takes.
• Write down questions to ask the doctor.

Preparing a list of questions can help you make the most of your time with your doctor. For pulmonary valve stenosis, some basic questions include:

• What's the most likely cause of my or my child's symptoms?
• Are there other possible causes?
• What tests are needed? Do these tests require any special preparation?
• Is pulmonary valve stenosis temporary or long lasting?
• What treatments are available, and which do you recommend?
• What are the risks of a balloon valvuloplasty or open-heart surgery?
• Do I need to restrict my or my child's activity?
• Are there brochures or other printed material that I can take? What websites do you recommend?

Don't hesitate to ask other questions.

What to expect from your doctor

Your doctor is likely to ask you a number of questions, including:

• When did symptoms begin?
• Do the symptoms come and go, or are they continuous?
• Do the symptoms get worse during activity or when lying down?
• Does anything seem to improve symptoms?