Springvale South Medical Centre

Why should you get a Heart Health Check? 

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in Australia. Many heart attacks and strokes can be prevented through healthy behaviours like following a heart-healthy eating pattern, being active, maintaining a healthy weight and being smoke-free.

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Many people may not know their risk of developing heart disease, especially since you often can’t feel risk factors like high blood pressure and cholesterol.

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Who needs a Heart Health Check?

• All people aged 45–79 years

• People with diabetes from 35 years

• First Nations people from 30 years 

Speak to your GP about a Heart Health Check if you do not already have heart disease.

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What should you expect in your Heart Health Check?

1. Discuss

There are many different factors that can all play a part in your risk of developing heart disease. Your GP or nurse may ask about:

• whether you smoke

• whether you have diabetes

• medicines you are taking

• other health problems

• your family health history

• ethnic groups you identify with

• your postcode.

2. Check

Your GP or nurse may check your blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar levels.

3. Assess

Your GP will work out your chance of having a heart attack or stroke in the next 5 years, using a clinically validated calculator.

4. Plan

Your GP or nurse will work with you to set a plan to lower your risk of heart attack or stroke. This may involve:

• ways to make heart-healthy changes to your lifestyle

• referrals to programs or other health professionals for more support e.g. dietitians

• prescribing blood pressure or cholesterol lowering medicines​

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FOR HEART HEALTH CHECK BOOKINGS, PLEASE CALL THE CLINIC TO BOOK