Baylor Scott & White Legacy Heart Center

Your appointment with one of our cardiologists gives you access to some of the most advanced cardiac treatment available in North Texas. You can expect a thorough evaluation of your cardiovascular health along with specific recommendations on steps you can take for better heart health. Please allow approximately 1 ½ hours for your first office visit.

Cancellation notice
We require a 24 hour notice for cancellations. Otherwise you may be charged a cancellation fee which is not covered by insurance. If you need to cancel or change your appointment, please contact our Scheduling Department as soon as possible, 469.800.6477.

Be sure we have your medical records
If a physician has referred you to Legacy Heart Center, he/she will either contact us by phone or send your records to our office. It is very important that we receive your medical records prior to your visit. Otherwise, your cardiologist will be unable to adequately evaluate you and it may be necessary to reschedule your appointment until those records are received. If you have referred yourself, you should contact your physician and arrange for your records to be sent to our office before your scheduled visit. A few days prior to your appointment, please check with your physician or our office to ensure that your records have been sent and received.

Bring all of your insurance information and your driver’s license
When you make an appointment with us, you will be asked for your insurance information that will then be verified by us prior to your appointment. You should bring your insurance card and your driver’s license to your first appointment.

Bring all of your medications
Please bring all of your medications with you in their original containers when you come to the office. Just put them into a plastic bag and bring them along so that your cardiologist will know everything that you are currently taking. Make sure your doctor knows about every drug you are taking, including over-the-counter drugs and herbal medications as well. One drug may interact with another, in some cases creating serious medical problems.

Complete the new patient forms
Your health history and registration information is very important. We ask that you complete and submit the New Patient Questionnaire online as soon as possible after scheduling your appointment. This will expedite the check-in process when you arrive. Please print and complete all other forms prior to your visit. 

If you have any questions about the forms, please call our office, 469.800.6477.

Your examination: what to expect
Once you have completed the check-in process, a medical assistant will take you back to an exam room where he or she will take your blood pressure and pulse and do a 12-lead electrocardiogram (EKG) on you. Please do not use any body lotions or oils prior to your office visit as this makes it difficult to perform an EKG. This test is not painful and takes approximately 5-10 minutes to perform.

The medical assistant will also take your medical history to find out not only what medications you’re taking but what, if any, allergies you might have; what kind of prior illnesses or injuries you may have suffered; and any surgeries or hospital stays you may have had.

You’ll also be asked about the health of your family including any hereditary conditions that may be related to your cardiac health. Finally, you’ll be asked about your marital status, employment and whether or not you use tobacco, alcohol or any drugs. It may help to write down all of your medical events and dates and bring this with you to your visit.

Once the medical assistant is finished, the cardiologist will meet with you to review your medical history and perform a physical examination. Following the exam, he or she will discuss the findings with you and recommend any further testing or treatment plans. Please feel free to ask the cardiologist any questions you may have at this time. On occasion, our physicians utilize certified Physician Assistants specially trained in cardiovascular care to see their patients. If that is the case, your visit will then be reviewed by your physician.

What happens after the first visit?
After your visit with the cardiologist, our office will forward all cardiac records, test results, and suggestions for treatment to your referring physician. In some cases, we may need to schedule a return visit for additional tests. We have an array of advanced technology diagnostic testing and procedure options available on-site to help us pinpoint problems and act on them quickly, well in advance of any cardiac incident.

If you have questions, please call your cardiologist’s nurse, 469.800.6300. Any call received after 4:00 PM will normally be returned the following business day. Every attempt will be made to return your call in a timely manner.