Your heart care team: Primary care doctor

While you may at times be under the care of a cardiologist, cardiac surgeon or other specialist, you'll still consult your primary care provider for most of your health care needs. This person typically specializes in family medicine or internal medicine.

He or she is there to...

meet your preventive health needs (regular check-ups and tests)
be your first contact when you experience medical problems (related to your heart condition or any other condition)
serve as your main contact for questions and advice

Be honest. You'll benefit in the long run.

During office visits, your primary care doctor will probably ask you how you're doing at managing your condition. Sometimes, it might seem easier to say that everything is great, even when it isn't.

If you're having trouble with anything, let your doctor know. Doctors are there to help you, but they can't if you don't say anything.

Your primary care provider is there to give you professional advice, to point you in the direction of help when appropriate and to offer new solutions when other methods have been less successful.

If you haven't been able to stop smoking, tell your doctor. The two of you can talk together about the best way to quit.
If it's difficult to change your eating habits, tell your doctor exactly why it's difficult.
If you can't seem to get into an exercise routine, talk about that with your doctor, too.