Have you ever been sent to a cardiologist before undergoing surgery? Don’t worry — this is not unusual, in fact, all patients scheduled for surgery need a risk assessment in advance. It’s very common for a patient to see a cardiologist before surgery to address any preexisting conditions and ensure each patient has a safe experience before, during, and after surgery. As a patient, understandably, you’re already nervous about having surgery. Being told you need to see a cardiologist may add an extra layer of concern. However, it’s completely normal. The first question you cardiologist will take into account is the type of surgery you’ll be having and why. Longer surgeries tend to involve more risk because of the increased length of time under anesthesia. You may not have a history of cardiovascular disease, but it is still very important to see a cardiologist upon your doctor’s request. Your cardiologist will first ask about your health history, specifically any history of hypertension, high cholesterol, previous heart attack or stroke. Your doctor will also ask about your lifestyle, including tobacco usage and your daily level of physical activity. In order to check your heart health, your doctor will order an ECG to get a “snapshot” of your heart. This test will tell your doctor about your heart rate and rhythm, which will help diagnose any heart conditions in some patients in advance of surgery. An ECG can also identify previous heart events a patient may have had, like a prior heart attack. Sometimes, your doctor will also order an echocardiogram or nuclear stress test to obtain additional information regarding a patient’s heart to know before safely undergoing anesthesia during surgey. These additional tests will provide your cardiologist with information to improve the outcome of your surgery. This information will determine the amount of intravenous fluid given, the type of anesthesia provided, and the medications to use before and after surgery. This can also indicate which medications you may be currently using that should be paused before surgery. At times, a cardiologist may identify a serious problem that the patient was unaware of beforehand. In that situation, the patient will need to undergo heart surgery prior to the original surgery they were scheduled for. Although unexpected, this outcome is the most beneficial to your health overall, avoiding potential risks during surgery all together. The overall goal is to prevent an avoidable complication from occurring in the first place, which is why it’s crucial to follow your surgeon’s orders and see a cardiologist upon request. To recap, prior to a future surgery, don’t be surprised if your doctor asks you to see a cardiologist beforehand. Surgery can be a nerve-wracking experience for patients, but if you prepare yourself in advance and follow your doctor’s orders, you will be properly prepared for a safe and uncomplicated surgery. Additionally, during the current pandemic, your doctor will order special precautions to keep you and others safe from COVID-19. Be sure to follow your doctor’s instructions before coming in for your pre-operative office visit. For more information about pre-operative visits or to make an appointment with Dr. Chirag Mehta, call his office at (760) 338-0911