Heart disease remains one of the leading causes of illness and death in Australia. The good news is that your GP can identify and manage many of the risk factors early. The challenge is that heart disease often develops gradually, and many people don’t notice symptoms until a serious event occurs.
A heart health check is a structured assessment of your risk of heart attack or stroke. It helps you and your GP take steps to protect your cardiovascular health. If you’re wondering whether it’s time to book a heart health check GP appointment, this article explains what the check involves, who is eligible, and when to raise it with your doctor.
What Is a Heart Health Check?
A heart health check is a dedicated 20-minute appointment with your GP that focuses specifically on assessing your cardiovascular risk. According to the Heart Foundation, the check is designed to help you understand your risk of having a heart attack or stroke in the next five years.
During a GP heart check, your doctor will assess a combination of factors that contribute to cardiovascular disease. It’s also important to remember that this is different from a general check-up because it’s a focused cardiovascular risk assessment that looks at the bigger picture of your heart health.
What Does a Heart Health Check Include?
A heart health check GP appointment typically covers the following:
Blood Pressure Monitoring
High blood pressure is one of the most significant risk factors for heart disease, and it often has no symptoms. Your GP will measure your blood pressure as part of the assessment.
Blood pressure monitoring is a quick and painless test, but the information it provides is essential for understanding your cardiovascular risk.
Cholesterol Test (Lipid Profile)
Your GP may order a cholesterol test to check your levels of total cholesterol, LDL (sometimes called “bad” cholesterol), HDL (“good” cholesterol), and triglycerides. Elevated cholesterol is a major contributor to the build-up of fatty deposits in your arteries, which can increase your risk of heart attack and stroke.
Blood Glucose Assessment
Diabetes is a significant heart disease risk factor. Your GP may check your blood glucose or HbA1c levels as part of the assessment to determine whether diabetes or pre-diabetes may be affecting your cardiovascular health.
Review of Risk Factors and Family History
Your GP will ask about your personal and family history of heart disease, as well as other risk factors such as smoking, diabetes, obesity, physical inactivity, and diet. A family history of heart disease, particularly in a close relative before the age of 60, can increase your own risk and may mean earlier or more frequent monitoring is recommended.
Absolute Cardiovascular Risk Calculation
Using the information gathered, your GP will calculate your absolute cardiovascular risk. An estimate of your likelihood of experiencing a heart attack or stroke in the next five years. This calculation takes into account your age, sex, blood pressure, cholesterol, smoking status, and other relevant factors.
According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, this risk assessment is a core part of the heart health check and helps guide decisions about prevention and treatment.
ECG Test (If Clinically Indicated)
In some cases, your GP may recommend an ECG test (electrocardiogram) to check the electrical activity of your heart. An ECG can help detect irregular heart rhythms, signs of previous heart damage, or other abnormalities.
This is not always part of a routine heart health check, but your GP may recommend it based on your symptoms or risk profile.
Who Should Have a Heart Health Check?
You should consider booking a GP heart check if you:
- Are aged 45 or over (or 30 and over for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples)
- Have not had your blood pressure or cholesterol checked recently
- Have a family history of heart disease
- Have been diagnosed with high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or diabetes
- Smoke or have a history of smoking
- Are overweight or physically inactive
Even if you feel well, a heart health check can provide valuable insight into risks you may not be aware of. You can also check with your GP to see if getting it is a good option.
When to See Your GP About Heart Symptoms
While health checks are focused on prevention, it is also important to know when to see your GP about symptoms that may be related to your heart. You should book an appointment if you are experiencing:
- Chest pain or discomfort, particularly during physical activity
- Shortness of breath and palpitations that are new or getting worse
- Unexplained fatigue or dizziness
- Swelling in your legs or ankles
If you experience severe chest pain lasting more than 10 minutes, difficulty breathing, or feel faint or unwell, call triple zero (000) immediately. These may be signs of a heart attack and require emergency care.
Protect Your Heart with a Proactive Check-Up
Heart disease is often preventable when risk factors are identified and managed early. A heart health check gives you and your GP the opportunity to assess your cardiovascular risk, address modifiable factors like blood pressure, cholesterol, and lifestyle habits, and put a plan in place to support your long-term heart health.
At Bomaderry Creek Health Centre, our GPs provide comprehensive health checks including Medicare-funded Heart Health Checks for eligible patients. We are here to understand your heart health with modern equipment and techniques.
All Medicare-eligible GP consultations are also bulk billed in our clinic, so there is no out-of-pocket cost for your visit.
Book a consultation with our team or call us on (02) 4413 2325.