A Heart Health Check estimates your chance of a heart or blood vessel problem, such as a heart attack or stroke, over the next five years. It looks at your blood pressure and cholesterol together with your age, medical history and other risk factors.
The estimate helps you and your GP decide which changes are likely to be worthwhile. These might include treating high blood pressure, lowering cholesterol or getting support to stop smoking. The higher your risk, the more you can gain from preventive treatment, even if you feel well.
The check doesn't diagnose the cause of chest pain, breathlessness or palpitations. Those symptoms need their own investigation.
Call triple zero (000) for severe, worsening or persistent chest pain, or chest discomfort with breathlessness, sweating, nausea or pain spreading to your arm, jaw or back.
Do not wait for a routine appointment or drive yourself to hospital.
A Heart Health Check takes at least 20 minutes. Your GP may ask for blood tests beforehand so the results are ready to discuss.
If you haven't been diagnosed with cardiovascular disease, Australian guidance recommends a check at these ages:
Your GP may check individual risk factors earlier, especially if heart disease runs in your family. Outside these age ranges, the checks depend on your health and history.
If you've already had a heart attack or stroke, for example, your care focuses on treating the condition and lowering the chance of it happening again.
Your GP can help with many aspects of preventing heart disease. They may refer you to a cardiologist to help find the cause of a problem or decide on treatment.
A referral may be needed for:
At Heartscope, the appointment focuses on the reason for the referral, and the cardiologist sends a report and recommendations to your GP.
A Heart Health Check doesn't include a standard set of heart tests. Your doctor may recommend a test to help explain symptoms or answer a specific question about your heart.
At Heartscope
An electrocardiogram is a short recording of your heart's electrical activity. It shows your heart rate and rhythm, and how electrical signals travel through the heart.
At Heartscope
This heart ultrasound shows the heart's chambers and valves, and how well it pumps blood.
At Heartscope
The doctor compares ultrasound pictures taken at rest and straight after treadmill exercise to see how your heart muscle responds.
At Heartscope
A Holter monitor or HeartBug records your heartbeat over a longer time, so it can pick up rhythm changes that a short ECG might miss. Your doctor chooses the monitor and how long you wear it.
At Heartscope
A portable monitor takes blood pressure readings over 24 hours, including while you sleep, so your doctor can see how your blood pressure varies outside the clinic.
About blood pressure monitoring
At Scope Radiology
This CT scan measures calcium in plaque within the walls of the arteries that supply your heart. For some people, the result helps with decisions about preventing heart disease. The scan uses radiation and isn't suitable for everyone.
Scope Radiology performs this scan and confirms the appointment details and fee separately.
If your GP has referred you, the clinic can go through the appointment details with you on 1800 202 111. Have your referral handy when you call.
The referral explains why you need to see a cardiologist and includes information about your health.
Consultations are privately billed. If you're eligible, Medicare pays part of the consultation fee when you have a valid referral from your GP or specialist. The clinic will confirm the amount left to pay before the visit.
Heart tests have separate fees. If your doctor refers you for a test, the clinic will confirm whether it's available, what it costs and how to prepare.
For the GP Heart Health Check, ask your GP practice about its fees.
The cardiologist will send a report to your GP. If you need further tests, they'll explain when to expect the results and who will discuss them with you.
If you're having a test as well, follow the preparation instructions for that test.
Heartscope cardiologists see patients at clinics in Melbourne and Queensland. If you have a referral, our team can confirm the location and appointment details.
View clinic locationsNo. Your GP does the Heart Health Check. Heartscope provides cardiologist appointments and heart tests with a valid referral from a GP or specialist.
No. The result is an estimate of your chance of a heart or blood vessel problem over the next five years. It isn't a diagnosis. Your GP will explain the result and discuss ways to reduce your risk.
Not necessarily. The cardiologist may have enough information from your symptoms, examination and previous results. A scan or another test is recommended when it would help answer a question about your care.
Your GP will suggest when to check again, based on your last results, medical conditions and any changes in your health.
You don't need to fast for the appointment itself. If you're having blood tests, follow the instructions from your GP or the blood collection service.
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