What lifestyle questions might my physician ask related to my heart health?

During an office visit with your physician to discuss your risk for cardiovascular disease or existing symptoms, your physician will ask you about lifestyle choices that may contribute to disease. He or she may ask questions such as the following:

• How often do you exercise? What do you do for exercise?
• Do you drink alcohol? How much? How often?
• Do you eat a heart-healthy diet?
• Do you smoke? Have you used tobacco products in the past?
• Do you live a high-stress lifestyle? How do you manage stress?

Your physician will be able to give you recommendations for how you can adopt a more heart-healthy lifestyle. For example, if you smoke and wish to quit, your doctor can help you identify good smoking cessation resources.

To better gauge your heart health, your doctor will likely ask you lifestyle questions regarding diet, exercise, smoking and family history of heart diseases (including heart attack in first degree relatives). Your doctor may also ask about any early age of death in parents or siblings.