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Preparing for your appointment
By Mayo Clinic staffIf your doctor thinks you have Brugada syndrome, you'll likely need several appointments to make sure that's the condition you have, and to figure out how serious your condition is. Your doctor should give you instructions before each appointment on specific preparations.
Because appointments can be brief, and because there's often a lot of ground to cover, it's a good idea to be prepared for your appointment. Here's some information to help you get ready for your appointment, and what to expect from your doctor.
What you can do
- Be aware of any pre-appointment restrictions. At the time you make the appointment, be sure to ask if there's anything you need to do in advance. For example, if you're having a test to look at your heart's structure (electrophysiology study), you'll need to fast for eight to 12 hours before your test.
- Write down any symptoms you're experiencing, including any that may seem unrelated to Brugada syndrome.
- Write down key personal information, especially any family history of sudden cardiac arrest or heart conditions, and any personal history of fainting spells or heart arrhythmias.
- Make a list of all medications, as well as any vitamins or supplements, that you're taking.
- Take a family member or friend along, if possible. Sometimes it can be difficult to soak up all the information provided to you during an appointment. Someone who accompanies you may remember something that you missed or forgot.
- Write down questions to ask your doctor.
Your time with your doctor is limited, so preparing a list of questions will help you make the most of your time together. List your questions from most important to least important in case time runs out. For Brugada syndrome, some basic questions to ask your doctor include:
- What is likely causing my symptoms or condition?
- What are other possible causes for my symptoms or condition?
- What kinds of tests will I need?
- Will I need treatment for Brugada syndrome?
- What is the best course of action?
- What's an appropriate level of physical activity?
- How often do I need follow-up visits to monitor my condition?
- I have other health conditions. How can I best manage them together?
- Are there any restrictions that I need to follow?
- Should I see a specialist?
- Are there any brochures or other printed material that I can take home with me? What Web sites do you recommend visiting?
- Should any members of my family be screened?
- In addition to the questions that you've prepared to ask your doctor, don't hesitate to ask questions during your appointment at any time that you don't understand something.
What to expect from your doctor
Your doctor is likely to ask you a number of questions. Being ready to answer them may reserve time to go over any points you want to spend more time on. Your doctor may ask:
- Do you have a family history of Brugada syndrome or other heart rhythm problems?
- When did you first begin experiencing symptoms?
- Have your symptoms been continuous or occasional?
- How often do you have symptoms, such as fainting spells?
- Wylie JV, et al. Brugada syndrome and sudden cardiac arrest. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed March 24, 2008.
- Benito B, et al. Brugada syndrome. Progress in Cardiovascular Diseases. 2008;51:1.
- Benito B, et al. Gender differences in clinical manifestations of Brugada syndrome. Journal of the American College of Cardiology. 2008;52:1567.
- Antzelevitch C, et al. Brugada syndrome: Recent advances and controversies. Current Cardiology Reports. 2008;10:376.
- The Brugada syndrome. Ramon Brugada Senior Foundation. http://www.brugada.org/about/about.html. Accessed April 14, 2009.
