Can anyone recommend a good cardiologist

[CYCLNST8]

In the Urbandale/West Des Moines area? Knock on wood I'm pretty healthy for a 41 year-old, so I've spent very little time at a clinic. But now that my father-in-law just went in for emergency bypass surgery, I'm reminded my side of the family has a long history of heart troubles as well. I should probably get a professional to look under my hood soon, but since I don't even have a regular doctor (yet), I don't even know where to start. Would welcome any experienced input.

Thank you!

 

[Cloneon]

One thing I've learned is: if the prognosis is bad, get a second opinion.

 

[CyCrazy]

You will need to find a general dr first.

 

[CYCLNST8]

You will need to find a general dr first.

Dah. I was afraid that'd be the case. Can anyone recommend a good doctor/clinic?

 

[CyCrazy]

Dah. I was afraid that'd be the case. Can anyone recommend a good doctor/clinic?

Ya I have always needed a doc to have a refferal for a specialist.

 

[Dr.bannedman]

not trying to **** on you @CYCLNST8 but as a 40+ year old... you need a Dr.

everyone needs to get a physical/ bloodwork done.... you might think you are bullet proof and whatever but there is stuff that can hide.

I have very high blood pressure. in goodish shape, eat healthy and exercise regularly.

I'm so glad my wife made me get my bloodwork.

 

[Yaz]

Find a good doctor that you like/trust and go from there. My original Dr. got into teaching so I lost him, which was a bummer, because he was excellent. So then, I had to find a new doctor several years back, which I did, however, immediately did not like the new Dr.'s style whatsoever. So I asked my local clinic for someone else and got a PA and couldn't be happier. Have had the PA as my primary for 15 years and he has done a great job for me.

You'll want someone you can trust as you get older.

 

[NorthCyd]

If you have concerns about your ticker I would recommend not being a Cyclone fan. That's usually good for a couple potentially cardiac inducing blasts several times a year.

Seriously, to echo everyone else just go get a general physical. I am similar age to you and I had avoided doing it up until last year. My family has a history of cholesterol problems, blood pressure, and diabetes. I had been worrying about it in the back of my mind for forever, but also avoiding going because I didn't want to know. I told my doc my family history, got blood work done, and everything came back great! I try to work out most days, so I was glad to see that pay off, but I didnt realize just how much those worries had weighed on my mind until I got that clean bill of health.

 

[bozclone]

In the Urbandale/West Des Moines area? Knock on wood I'm pretty healthy for a 41 year-old, so I've spent very little time at a clinic. But now that my father-in-law just went in for emergency bypass surgery, I'm reminded my side of the family has a long history of heart troubles as well. I should probably get a professional to look under my hood soon, but since I don't even have a regular doctor (yet), I don't even know where to start. Would welcome any experienced input.

Thank you!

It is great that you are being proactive. I didn't have a regular doctor for most of my adult life and then I had a heart attack at age 51. I met my cardiology for the first time when he was placing two stints in my heart. Now I have a regular doctor too. I was stupid for not having a regular doctor and I was stupid for not paying attention to many of the warning signs months before my heart attack. Going to a doctor may be a hassle. Taking medicine may be a hassle too, but they are much better than laying in the back of an ambulance wondering if you will ever see your family again.

 

[bozclone]

As others have said, a regular doctor can tell a lot from blood work. If you are still concerned about your heart after that, our local hospital here in Indiana also offers heart scans for around $50. Des Moines may have something like that too.

 

[CYCLNST8]

not trying to **** on you @CYCLNST8 but as a 40+ year old... you need a Dr.

No- that's fair. I expected some posters to be angry with me. I told my wife she has the green light to nag the **** out of me until I go.

 

[Sparkplug]

I would start by determining if your insurance has any restrictions. You may have a policy with preferred providers. No reason to pay for an out of network provider if you don't need to. Your policy may have a wellness clause that will pay for additional tests that you would like to have as prevention.

 

[GetAwesome]

Dr. Spaceman’s practices are unconventional, but highly effective.

But yes, I’ll echo the running theme so they can hear it in the back. Get yourself a primary care provider. No need for a specialist without acute symptoms of a problem.

Try out a few providers, not even for a physical or a need for labs run, just gather a few local recommendations, call up their offices and ask for a new patient consultation. Write down your primary health interests and concerns (immediate and long term) and take those with you to talk about.

After you get through two or three new patient consults with providers, roll with whom you feel the best rapport and schedule your next year’s physical in advance to keep yourself on schedule!

 

[wxman1]

As others have said get a GP and go from there.

Not directed solely at you but you take your car in to get an oil change and they give you an inspection report. Why not treat your body the same way?

 

[Cyclones_R_GR8]

You will need to find a general dr first.

Speaking of which, since our insurance provider changed the GP I used is no longer an option so I have to find a new one.

 

[CYCLNST8]

I would start by determining if your insurance has any restrictions. You may have a policy with preferred providers. No reason to pay for an out of network provider if you don't need to. Your policy may have a wellness clause that will pay for additional tests that you would like to have as prevention.

Good idea. I actually work for a corporation with our own insurance division. Shouldn't be an issue.

 

[jmb]

Ya I have always needed a doc to have a refferal for a specialist.

No you don't. It depends on your insurance plan.

 

[Rural]

In the Urbandale/West Des Moines area? Knock on wood I'm pretty healthy for a 41 year-old, so I've spent very little time at a clinic. But now that my father-in-law just went in for emergency bypass surgery, I'm reminded my side of the family has a long history of heart troubles as well. I should probably get a professional to look under my hood soon, but since I don't even have a regular doctor (yet), I don't even know where to start. Would welcome any experienced input.

Thank you!

Take it from the aged that finding the balancing act between "let them get their hooks in you" and your legit concern for your physical health is a tough one.

 

[NodawayRiverClone]

If you research cardiology in Des Moines, you are probably choosing among MercyOne Iowa Heart Center, Unity Point, or Iowa Clinic. Might want to determine which of those 3 cardiology systems you might prefer and then get a GP in that group.

I have ended up with both Iowa Heart and Mayo Clinic for various reasons, but just determining what your risks are should be straight forward for any of them.

 

[RLD4ISU]

Dah. I was afraid that'd be the case. Can anyone recommend a good doctor/clinic?

If you have any friends that work in healthcare, ask who they would go to. I’ve found often they have quite a bit of insight others do not.