I'll be back
(to get my heart health checked)
Is it time to check your heart health?
Lauren Ball
Professor of Community Health and Wellbeing
The University of Queensland
"Come with me if you want to live."
"I'll be back"
"Get out."
If you know these lines and what film they are from (Spoiler: The Terminator, 1984) then it means it’s probably time to get your heart health checked. In 2 days, The Terminator turns 40, and if you are also in your 40s (or 50s), our UQ expert Professor Lauren Ball has a few top tips on checking your heart health.
In Australia, heart health checks are an important part of preventative healthcare, and Medicare provides coverage for eligible individuals to help assess and manage their cardiovascular health. These checks are designed to detect early signs of heart disease or risk factors that could lead to heart problems, allowing for timely response and management.
Here's how they work:
Eligibility criteria
Heart health checks are primarily aimed at people who are at risk of heart disease. Generally, the following groups are eligible for a heart health check:
- All people aged 45 to 79 years
- People with diabetes aged 35 and above
- People aged 30 years and older for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, due to higher rates of heart disease in these communities
You may be eligible even if you don't have any obvious symptoms of heart disease, as the check is focused on assessing risk factors (like high blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and lifestyle factors).
What is involved in a heart health check?
A heart health check is a comprehensive assessment typically performed by your General Practitioner (GP). During the check, the following things are usually measured or discussed:
- Blood pressure: high blood pressure is a major risk factor for heart disease
- Cholesterol levels: blood tests to measure levels of total cholesterol, LDL (known as 'bad cholesterol'), HDL (known as 'good cholesterol'), and triglycerides
- Body mass index (BMI): to assess whether you're overweight or obese, which can increase heart disease risk
- Lifestyle factors: questions about diet, physical activity, smoking and alcohol consumption
- Family history: if there’s a history of heart disease in your family, it can influence your risk
- Blood sugar levels: high blood sugar (glucose) or diabetes increases heart disease risk
- Other risk factors: this might include checking for conditions like chronic kidney disease or sleep apnoea, which can also affect heart health.
Image: Adobe Stock
Image: Adobe Stock
Cost
The amount you will need to pay depends on factors such as your GP's consultation fee. Generally, the Medicare rebate covers a substantial portion of the cost, but if the doctor charges more than the Medicare rebate, you'll be required to pay the difference out-of-pocket (this is called the 'gap fee'). If you visit a bulk-billing GP you won't need to pay anything at all.
After the check
Based on the results, your GP will provide advice on how to reduce your risk of heart disease.
This may include:
- Referrals to specialists, such as cardiologists for further testing
- Prescriptions for medication to manage risk factors like high blood pressure or high cholesterol
- Advice on lifestyle changes, such as improving your diet, increasing physical activity, quitting smoking and managing stress.
- Referral to health professionals who can provide individualised support, such as an Accredited Practising Dietitian to support dietary changes
When to have a heart health check
- First check: if you're 45 or older (or 30 or older for Indigenous Australians), it’s generally recommended to have a heart health check
- Ongoing checks: if you're at high risk, your General Practitioner (GP) may recommend ongoing checks every few years, or more often if there are significant risk factors
In summary, Medicare covers heart health checks for eligible individuals, with the goal of identifying and managing cardiovascular disease risk factors early on. These checks are usually done through a consultation with your GP, who will assess your heart health and may recommend lifestyle changes or further treatments based on your risk.
As part of my research with The Centre for Community Health and Wellbeing in Springfield, we are dedicated to creating healthier communities through innovative community engagement, world-class research and preventive health care. If you live in the Springfield area, find out more about how we work with the Springfield community, acting on the priorities of community members and ensure they reap the rewards of modern-day research.
So…"I'll be back… to book a heart health check."
Image: Unsplash/Creative Commons (compostive image)
Image: Unsplash/Creative Commons (compostive image)
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