Heart Week is Australia’s national heart health awareness week held in May each year. It provides an opportunity for the Australian public and health professionals to start a conversation about heart health and take positive steps to reduce their heart disease risk.
This Heart Week, we’re encouraging everyday Australians to never miss a beat by speaking to their GP about a Heart Health Check. To complement this, we’re urging health professionals to engage their patients about heart health and use the Aus CVD Risk calculator during their next Heart Health Check.
See your GP for a Heart Health Check
A Heart Health Check is a 20-minute check-up with your GP to assess your risk of having a heart attack or stroke in the next five years.
As part of the check, your doctor will ask you about your lifestyle, medical and family history. They will also check your blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar levels.
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.
If you are aged 45 and over and do not already have heart disease, we recommend 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.
