Did you know, the number one cause of death in Australia is ischemic heart disease. This occurs when the heart is damaged because of the narrowing of the arteries that supply the heart.
The Australian government is aware that many of the deaths and disabilities caused by cardiovascular disease are preventable and while many of the risk factors for cardiovascular disease are well known, they are often treated separately.
More recently, health experts have come to believe that considering them as a collection of factors together, rather than individually, can be more helpful.
Under community and professional health organisation guidance, a Medicare item with the name ‘Heart Health Check’ was created to support individuals who may be at increased cardiovascular risk.
What is a Heart Health Check?
A Heart Health Check is an assessment that helps to identify any physical or lifestyle related risks.
The assessment is conducted by a GP who during the assessment will collect information about your family and personal medical histories as well as doing an examination which will include blood pressure and cholesterol levels.
After your assessment, your GP creates a comprehensive preventative health care plan to help improve your cardiovascular health.
In 2019, Medicare introduced items that allowed eligible patients to receive a Medicare rebate when GPs or other medical practitioners conduct a thorough assessment of their heart health. This gathered information is entered in the Australian CVD risk calculator to calculate and record the absolute CVD risk.
Following the initial assessment, it is important to follow up with your GP regarding your results and for discussion. This could include recommendations for further tests that may be required, new medications or for suggestions regarding lifestyle changes that may help protect you from cardiovascular disease.
How to get a Heart Health Check?
To get a Heart Health Check, simply book an appointment with your GP. Specify that you want a Heart health check so that you are booked for a long consult (20 minutes). Ask if this is bulk billed at your GP’s clinic.
If you cannot get in to see your regular GP and you want to find out more about heart health or have any specific concerns, you can make a telehealth appointment with an Australian registered telehealth doctor to discuss your questions and concerns from the comfort of your own home.
Am I Eligible for a Heart Health Check?
The Heart Health Check is available for people over 45 years of age who are not known to have cardiovascular disease. For Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islanders, eligibility starts at 30 years of age as these communities have higher rates of heart disease. For people who have been diagnosed with diabetes, the recommendation is to start having heart health checks from 35 years of age.
Should I get a Heart Health Check?
An Australian has a heart attack or stroke every four minutes. Many of these people are unaware of their risks and some of the risk factors may not be known unless you have been tested for them, like high cholesterol or high blood pressure. These “silent” conditions can be around for years and can be managed if they are identified earlier.
It's also worth mentioning that cardiovascular disease risk increases with age. For example, 2.3% of people in their mid-40s to mid-50s will be affected; however this number increases to 23% for people over 75 years of age. While risk increases with age, the blood vessels accumulate fatty deposits during the years and decades before, giving time for preventative action to lower that risk.
What to expect?
• Your doctor will ask you about your personal history: any chronic conditions you might have, family history of early CVD or high cholesterol, smoking status, and will take into account things like your ethnic background and even postcode. They may also ask about your diet, physical activity levels and whether you drink alcohol.
• They will test your blood pressure and cholesterol levels but may include other tests if your history suggests it.
• Your GP will use this information to do a thorough assessment of your risk of having a heart attack or stroke in the next 5 years.
• With this assessment you will work with your GP or their nurse to set a plan for improving your risk factors and managing your heart health.
• Your GP may suggest medication if you are at intermediate/high risk or may refer you to another health professional to help you manage your heart health.
What can you do to improve your heart health?
There are several lifestyle changes that can be used to improve your heart health. You and your doctor can discuss what options could work best for you and your specific circumstances. Options to manage heart health risk could include:
• If you smoke, then quit smoking. Smoking increases your risk of CVD but stopping it reduces your risk. There are evidence-based options that have been shown to help the behavioural and emotional aspects of quitting.
• Consider options for healthy eating. This may be tailored to your situation and your GP’s recommendations but it could involve:
- A healthy eating program that is low in saturated and trans fats, that includes plenty of vegetables, fruit and wholegrains, a variety of healthy protein-rich foods from animal and/or plant sources, unflavoured milk, yogurt and cheese, and foods that contain healthy fats and oils, restriction of salt to reduce blood pressure
- The Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension Diet (DASH)
- A Mediterranean-style diet
- Regular consumption of oily fish (can reduce risk of coronary heart disease)
- Increasing physical activity
- Maintaining a healthy weight
- Alcohol reduction – moderate or high alcohol consumption increases the risks of hypertension, coronary heart disease, stroke, and long term atrial fibrillation.
Key points:
- Cardiovascular disease is the number one cause of death in Australia.
- There are many factors that influence your risk of cardiovascular disease and some of them can be managed with lifestyle changes and/or medication.
- You can arrange a heart health check with your doctor to assess your risk of having a heart attack or stroke in the next 5 years and to create a plan to help manage that risk.
Reviewed by the healthylife Advisory Board September 2023.
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