You don’t have to wait months to see a cardiologist at St. Elizabeth Healthcare, says Nathaniel Dittoe, MD. At the Florence Wormald Heart & Vascular Institute, we prioritize timely care. Our dedicated staff can arrange visits on the day you call or within one business day.
Q: Why are same- or next-day cardiology appointments crucial to patient care?
A: Some heart conditions do not need immediate treatment. Others do. Timely evaluation by a cardiologist can lead to better outcomes and improved quality of life.
When you have concerns about your health, especially your heart, it can be incredibly stressful. Having to wait to be seen by a doctor can add to that anxiety. Seeing patients quickly can relieve some of that stress and provide reassurance. Often, we see people on the same day they call or when their doctor contacts us. If not, we aim for the next business day.
Q: What symptoms may call for a same- or next-day appointment?
A: Some symptoms that warrant a prompt evaluation by a cardiologist include:
- Shortness of breath when active.
- Leg swelling.
- Racing heart.
- Heart palpitations.
These symptoms may be mild but are still concerning.
Q: When should patients go to the emergency room?
A: Call 911 immediately if you have any heart attack symptoms. Don’t wait!
Heart attack symptoms can vary between men and women. Your symptoms may include:
- New and sudden chest pain with shortness of breath.
- Nausea.
- Cold sweats.
- Arm or jaw pain that does not go away.
Additionally, some people have other discomforts or feel unusually tired. Remember, symptoms can be severe or mild, but it’s crucial to err on the side of caution. If you even suspect a heart attack, call 911.
Q: How can patients see a cardiologist the same or next business day?
A: Patients can make appointments directly or be referred by another provider.
- Calling us directly: Patients can call (859) 287-3045 from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.
- Through St. Elizabeth Physicians Primary Care. Nurse navigators will contact Cardiology directly to schedule the appointment.
- Referral from another doctor: Doctors, including those in the emergency room, can send us an electronic message asking us to see a patient quickly.
Q: How should patients prepare for their appointment?
A: We encourage patients to bring two lists with them:
- Their current medications (both prescriptions and over-the-counter).
- Things they want to discuss.
Patients often have visits with doctors, leave and realize they forget to ask something. That’s why the list of concerns is so helpful.
Some patients bring their medical records. That’s not required. We can access their records through our system or contact their doctors for copies.
Q: Can patients bring family members or friends to appointments?
A: Yes! Bring spouses, significant others, children, grandchildren, family members or friends. It’s great to have someone along if the patient feels comfortable. A spouse or other family member often has additional questions or information that helps us diagnose and treat a patient. It also helps ensure everyone is on the same page and knows the plan.
At a recent visit, I had my patient and husband in the office, and her daughter was on speakerphone. She had several excellent questions. I love that. The more people involved, the more efficient the visit is.
Q: What happens after the cardiology appointment? How do you follow up with patients?
A: I will send a letter summarizing what happens at every visit to patients’ primary care doctors and other doctors if needed. We want to keep everybody in the loop.
I also put notes in the patient’s MyChart about what we talked about and our next steps. The nice thing about MyChart is that patients can see all their information and test results. I always try to message patients when test results appear to explain what they mean and say, “This is OK,” or, “We need to address this.” We follow up with phone calls, too.
One thing we do extraordinarily well here at the Heart and Vascular Institute is ensuring patients have prioritized access to heart healthcare. We have streamlined our process to get people in the same day or next day. It’s like Amazon Prime. I like to call it “Cardiology Prime.” And you don’t have to pay extra for it!
