Frequently Asked Questions
What is a cardiologist?
A cardiologist is a physician who has advanced training and is certified to treat problems of the heart, arteries and veins, or cardiovascular system.
What do the initials FACC after a doctor's name mean?
FACC - Fellow of The American College of Cardiology - Candidates must be certified both by a primary specialty board and by a subspecialty board that is a member of either the American Board of Medical Specialties or the Advisory Board for Osteopathic Specialists of the American Osteopathic Association.
What can you expect?
You will be taken to an examining room by a medical assistant. The medical assistant will take your vital signs and ask you to briefly explain your symptoms and why you have been referred to the cardiologist. After making a few notes, the medical assistant will tell the cardiologist you are ready for the consultation/examination. The cardiologist will again ask you to explain your symptoms, in more detail, while examining you. Based on your answers and the findings during the examination, the cardiologist may order more diagnostic tests. The combination of your medical history, physical examination, and diagnostic test results will help the cardiologist to diagnose your condition.
What questions should you ask?
Following the examination and interview by the cardiologist, you will have the opportunity to ask questions. Have your questions pre-planned as much as possible and written down so you will be less likely to forget. Preparedness will afford you the best chance of leaving your initial visit with the cardiologist armed with a plan.
Early diagnosis and proper management is imperative. A good relationship with your cardiologist is an integral part of the process. A successful initial consultation can set you in a positive direction.
What should you take?
Take your insurance cards and a photo ID so that the office personnel can begin to build a medical file. Be prepared to fill out a medical history. Bring along information about medications (or the actual bottles of medications) you take including the name of the drug, dosage, and schedule. Know the dates of pertinent visits to other doctors related to your current situation. Bring copies of any recent EKG test results, any recent cardiac test results (if available) and any previous hospital records (if available). Bring a list of your current medical problems and be able to describe your current symptoms with the date of onset.
Insurance Information
Valley Cardiovascular Specialists is a provider for most insurance companies. Your insurance claim will be filed for you by our billing department. You are responsible, however, for payment of copays, deductibles, co-insurance, and any services not covered by your insurance. All copays will be collected at the time of check-in.
To ensure proper billing, it is important that your patient registration form is current. If you experience any changes in your insurance, primary care physician, home address, or other relevant information, please notify the main office. Our staff will routinely make copies of your insurance cards as part of the check-in process to help us keep registration forms updated and to eliminate incorrect billing.
Please bring your insurance cards to every appointment. Destroy all old insurance cards.
I just got my cholesterol results, can you explain HDL, LDL, trigs, and total cholesterol numbers?
• High levels of cholesterol increase your chance of coronary heart disease. Coronary heart disease is a disease of the blood vessels of the heart that causes a heart attack. Improving your cholesterol numbers help to reduce your risk of getting heart disease.
- Cholesterol is a fatty substance found in the blood stream. High levels of fats in the blood stream are often associated with increased risk for developing blockages in the arteries, stroke and heart disease.
- Cholesterol comes from 2 main sources. First, cholesterol is produced by the liver. Second, cholesterol is present in the diet from animal sources. Foods from plants do not contain cholesterol.
- Cholesterol can build up in the inner walls of arteries. Plaque forms narrowing the arteries. Plaque that ruptures can cause blood clots. If a clot blocks the artery to the heart, it causes a heart attack. The term cholesterol refers to the total cholesterol. This is the amount of cholesterol in your blood stream. This number can be broken down further into the different types of cholesterol. Your body makes all the cholesterol you need. Eating foods high in saturated fat and cholesterol can raise your blood cholesterol level. A desirable level of total cholesterol is less than 200. If you have documented coronary artery disease the desired level is less than 180.
- LDL (low density lipoprotein) also known as "bad cholesterol" transports the majority of the body's cholesterol. The more LDL particles you have the greater the amount of cholesterol that is delivered to the cells. LDL particles that are smaller and denser tend to speed up the development of blockage. Recommended LDL levels are dependent on your risk level for heart disease.
- According to the American Heart Association, individuals with 2 or more risk factors should have levels below 130. If you are at high risk or already have heart disease your level should be below 100.
- HDL (high density lipoproteins) also known as "good cholesterol" is responsible for removing a portion of the cholesterol deposited in plaques and returning it to the liver to be cleared, this process can slow the rate of blockage formation. Increasing your HDL level may be beneficial in helping decrease the risk for future heart disease. HDL levels that are too low add to your risk of developing coronary artery disease.
- According to the American Heart Association desirable levels of HDL are 45 for men and 50 for women. An HDL level above 60 is considered protective against heart disease.
- Trigylcerides are another form of fat found in the blood stream. This form of fat serves as a source of energy and is stored in the fatty tissues. Very high levels of this fat has been linked to the development of heart disease and extremely high levels can lead to a severe and potentially life-threatening illness called pancreatitis, which is caused by the inflammation of the pancreas.
- Other factors associated with cholesterol are measured with advanced testing. These include LDL particle size, LDL particle number, Lpa and Homocystiene. Talk to your doctor to see if these may be appropriate for you.
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