Practical steps, before and after your visit

Short guides that help you prepare for a test, measure at home and bring the right information to your appointment.

Guides in preparation

These topics are being written and reviewed. Each guide opens here as soon as it is published.

In preparation
Your visit
Preparing for your first cardiology appointment
What to bring, which symptoms to note down and the questions worth asking.
In preparation
At home
Measuring your blood pressure at home
Cuff size, posture, timing and how to keep a reading log your doctor can use.
In preparation
Tests
Having an echocardiogram
What happens during the scan, how long it takes and whether you need to prepare.
In preparation
Tests
Wearing a Holter monitor
Daily life with the recorder, keeping a symptom diary and returning the device.
In preparation
Tests
Preparing for a stress test
Clothing, food, medicines to ask about and what the test measures.
In preparation
After your visit
Keeping an up-to-date medicines list
A simple way to record doses and changes between appointments.

If symptoms are recurring, sudden or worrying you, arrange a clinical consultation rather than relying on general information.