Heart Health Check
Heart Health Check
This initiative from the Australian government is designed for Australian residents who meet the eligible criteria listed below.
Are you over 30 years old? The government has recently announced an additional three years of funding for heart health checks. Individuals over the age of 30 years are eligible to receive a free heart health check at GP clinics which bulk bill this service.
Who needs a Heart Health Check?
With heart disease being the leading cause of death in Australians, being conscious of your heart health can allow you to make lifestyle changes to reduce your risk of developing heart disease.
Heart health checks are generally recommended for individuals who:
are aged between 45 and 79 years
have been diagnosed with diabetes from 35 years
are first nations aged from 30 years
have a history of tobacco cigarette smoking
have a family health history of heart health problems
What should you expect in your Heart Health Check?
1. Discuss
The risk of developing heart disease can be influenced by a range of factors. Your GP or nurse may ask about your smoking status, whether you have diabetes, any medications you’re taking, other health conditions, your family history, your ethnic background, and even your postcode, all of which can provide important insights into your overall risk.
2. Check
Your GP or nurse may check your blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar levels during your health check.
3. Assess
Your GP will assess your risk of having a heart attack or stroke within the next five years using a clinically proven risk calculator.
4. Plan
Your GP or nurse will help you create a plan to reduce your risk of heart attack or stroke. This may include lifestyle changes, referrals to support programs or specialists like dietitians, and prescribing medication to manage blood pressure or cholesterol.
This initiative is funded by the Australian government for eligible individuals regardless of whether they currently have private health insurance.
For more information, visit the Australian government website or click the link below to visit the Heart Foundation for useful information on the program and heart healthy tips.