Healthy Heart Check
Why should you get a Healthy Heart check?
Heart Health Checks can detect issues with your heart health. Coronary heart disease is usually the underlying cause of a heart attack, which is Australia’s number one cause of death. Coronary heart disease is caused when the arteries leading to the heart become hardened or narrow.
One Australian has a heart attack or stroke every four minutes. Many people may not be aware of their risk factors for heart disease. Also, some risk factors like high blood pressure or high cholesterol can be silent.
Understanding your risk of having a heart attack or stroke is the first step in lowering the risk. Your GP or nurse will give you advice on the immediate steps you can take to lower your risk of heart disease.
Who needs a Healthy Heart check?
One fifth of Australians aged 45–74 years have a high chance of having a heart attack or stroke in the next five years.
Anyone 45 years and over or 30 years and over for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples should have a regular Heart Health Check with their doctor.
How long does a Healthy Heart check take?
The clinic is run with our Nurse Zoe followed by a review with your doctor who can initiate further relevant investigations, treatments, or referrals. This whole process takes 20-30 minutes.
Zoe is a highly experienced and qualified RN who has worked in Coronary Care in both London and Sydney for over 10 years. Responsible for patients with heart conditions under her care, she is now passionate about positive health promotion and helping patient make positive lifestyle changes.
What should you expect in your Healthy Heart check?
During a heart health checkup, your doctor and nurse will talk to you about how you’re feeling and offer you screening tests to assess your cardiovascular health and risk factors. Your cardiovascular system includes your heart and blood vessels.
As part of the checkup, they’ll look for any signs of heart disease and consider your risk for developing heart disease in the future. For example, risk factors include:
- High blood pressure
- High blood cholesterol
- High blood sugar
- Overweight and obesity
- Certain lifestyle habits, like smoking and alcohol use
What Happens Next?
Next, your GP uses the information gathered to assess your risk of having a heart attack or stroke in the next five years.
If needed, your GP or nurse will work with you to set a plan for improving your risk factors for heart disease and keep on top of your heart health.
People at high risk of having a heart attack or stroke in the next five years may need to take medication and make lifestyle changes to lower their risk.
Your GP may refer you to another health professional for further support. For example, this could include seeing a dietitian to help you make the right changes to your diet or other lifestyle support programs and walking groups.
If you would like to make an appointment, please call our reception on 02 8123 1133 to find out more information and arrange a consultation.
