Heart disease remains one of the major health issues affecting Australians. Many people may not know their risk until they have a check with their GP.

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A Heart Health Check is a 20-minute appointment designed to assess your risk of having a heart attack or stroke in the next five years and to support you with practical steps to lower that risk. The Heart Foundation describes it as a check-up with your GP to better understand your risk and what you can do to support your heart health.

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During the appointment, your GP may ask about your health history, family history, medicines, lifestyle and any symptoms or concerns. They may also check your blood pressure and review cholesterol and other relevant blood test results.

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Your GP will then discuss your overall cardiovascular risk with you and develop a plan. This may include lifestyle advice, follow-up blood tests, medication review, referrals or regular monitoring, depending on your individual needs.

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Medicare item 699 supports a heart health assessment for patients aged 30 years and over. The MBS descriptor requires a GP attendance at consulting rooms lasting at least 20 minutes and includes collecting relevant information, taking a patient history, basic physical examination including blood pressure and cholesterol, initiating interventions or referrals where indicated, implementing a management plan and providing preventive health care advice.

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