Importance of Heart Health Checks
Heart Week 2019, focuses on encouraging more people to understand their risk factors for heart disease and take the right steps to reduce this risk.
Most importantly, is that you have a HEART HEALTH CHECK!
What is a Heart Health Check?
A Heart Health Check is a comprehensive absolute cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk assessment and ongoing management.
It is primarily used to assess how likely you are to have a heart attack or stroke in the next five years and is performed by your GP.
Why is a Heart Health Check important?
Every 12 minutes an Aussie will die from heart, stroke or blood vessel disease. Most heart attacks and strokes are preventable.
One-fifth of Australians aged 45-74 years are at high risk of having a heart attack or stroke in the next five years. Seven in ten adult Australians have at least one risk factor for heart, stroke or blood vessel disease. You may not be aware that you have risk factors as often there are no symptoms.
What happens at a Heart Health Check?
A heart health check can be done as part of a normal check up with your doctor or health practitioner.
Your doctor will take blood tests, check your blood pressure and ask you about your lifestyle and your family (your grandparents, parents, brothers and sisters).
Remember to give your doctor as much information about your lifestyle and family history as possible.
Keep your heart in check today!
Having a Heart Health Check can be a good way to take positive steps to protect and improve your health now and for the future. If you are over 45 years (35 years or older for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples), and have not had a heart attack or stroke, see your doctor for a Heart Health Check.
Book your heart health check now!
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