What should I do now?
Call 911
Call 911 for new or unexplained chest pressure that lasts more than a few minutes or returns, especially with sweating, nausea, breathlessness, or faintness. Do not drive yourself.
Contact your care team
Contact your care team promptly for a change in your usual symptom pattern, reduced exercise tolerance, or medication problems. New or persistent chest symptoms need acute assessment.
Keep your care plan
Keep your treatment and follow-up plan. Bring questions, readings, and your medication list.
SECTION 6
Your next visit and care plan
Your visits help you understand your CAD, review treatment, and develop a plan that fits your daily life.
What should I bring?
- An updated medication list with doses, supplements, and over-the-counter medicines.
- A symptom record: what you were doing, how long symptoms lasted, and what helped.
- Home blood pressure or blood sugar readings, if your team asked you to track them.
- Reports from recent testing or hospital visits outside your usual clinic.
- Your written questions.
Questions about my diagnosis
- Which coronary arteries are affected?
- Is the narrowing limiting blood flow?
- Have I had a heart attack or damage to my heart muscle?
- Is my heart pumping normally?
Questions about treatment
- What does each medication do?
- What are my LDL cholesterol and blood pressure goals?
- Which side effects should I report?
- If I take two antiplatelet medications, how long should I take both?
- Can medications manage my symptoms, or might a stent or bypass help?
- What are the expected benefits and risks of a procedure?
Questions about daily life
- What exercise is appropriate for me?
- Do I qualify for cardiac rehabilitation?
- When can I return to work, driving, sports, and sexual activity?
- What should I do if I develop chest discomfort?
- If nitroglycerin is prescribed, exactly how should I use it?
Leave with a clear plan
Before leaving, make sure you understand:
- Your medications and any changes.
- When to have blood tests or other testing.
- Your activity recommendations and health goals.
- When your next appointment is.
- How to contact your care team for routine questions.
If you suspect a heart attack, call 911. Do not wait for your next appointment.
Updated October 2026. Educational information; your own care plan may differ. Medical illustrations are simplified examples for teaching.