This Heart Week, we’re encouraging everyday Australians to never miss a beat by speaking to their GP about a Heart Health Check. If you are aged 45 and over and do not already have heart disease, the Heart Foundation recommends you see your doctor for a Medicare-subsidised Heart Health Check. Some people may be eligible earlier, including First Nations peoples from 30 years, and from 35 years for people living with diabetes.
A Heart Health Check is a 30-minute check-up with our nurse and GP to assess your risk of having a heart attack or stroke in the next five years.
As part of this check, your doctor and nurse will ask you about your lifestyle, medical and family history. They will also check your blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar levels and do an electrocardiogram (ECG). An ECG is a simple, non-invasive test that records the electrical activity of the heart. An ECG can help diagnose certain heart conditions, including abnormal heart rhythms and coronary heart disease (heart attack and angina).
Your GP will use this information to estimate your risk of a heart attack or stroke. More importantly, they will discuss the steps you can take to lower your risk.
Contact the practice on 4441 6521 to schedule your Medicare-subsidised Heart Health Check.
