The cardiovascular consultation is your introduction to the  cardiologist, who will elicit a detailed history of your problem  and perform a thorough examination of your heart and vascular  system. The history of your problem will also include eliciting  information about other diseases and symptoms, a medical history  of your close relatives, and information about the risk factors  that lead to coronary disease (hardening of the arteries), elevated  cholesterol and other fats in your blood, high blood pressure,  diabetes, and smoking. The cardiologist will also want an exact  list of your medications and the dose and frequency that they  are taken, as well as any history of medication, allergies or  intolerances. It is helpful if you bring a list of your medications  with you, or bring the medicine containers themselves. Pertinent  information, especially test results, from other doctors should  be secured, if possible, for review.

The cardiovascular consultation is one of the most important  "tests" your cardiologist will "perform".  At its completion your cardiolgist will usually have a reasonable  impression about the nature of the problem and what additional  tests will likely be required to further clarify the diagnosis.  You can help your cardiologist by being thorough, but also concise  in supplying the above information in response to his queries.