Home Cardiovascular risk assessment

Do you know your risk of heart disease?

50% of people who have a heart attack have no symptoms, but 90% of Australians have at least one risk factor. Do you know if your heart is at risk? Check your heart health today.

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The importance of having a risk assessment

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Heart disease can develop over years, in some cases without any clear symptoms. To help you get the best possible outcome with heart disease, early identification and prevention is key. When you know your risk, you can take the necessary steps required to reduce the risk of having a future cardiac event.

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is the most common heart condition and leading cause of heart attack in Australia. As with many heart conditions early identification through risk assessment can reduce your risk. Watch the video below to learn about how CAD develops and understand your risk.

The GenesisCare heart-health risk assessment will allow you to assess your risk of cardiac events and, as a result, assist you in taking action to prevent them from occurring.

What increases my risk of heart disease?

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The good news is you can reduce many of the risks linked to cardiovascular disease by making changes to your lifestyle.

  • Smoking: not smoking is one of the best ways to protect your heart
  • Cholesterol: a healthy cholesterol level, or cholesterol managed with medication, will assist in heart health
  • High blood pressure: have regular checks with your GP to monitor your blood pressure
  • Exercise: regular, moderate exercise is beneficial for your health and wellbeing
  • Weight: maintaining a healthy weight decreases your risk of cardiovascular disease and many other health problems
  • Diet: eating a healthy, balanced diet is a great way to keep your weight, blood pressure and cholesterol in check.

  • Age: as you get older, your risk of heart disease increases
  • Gender: men are at higher risk of heart disease however, women’s risk increases after menopause
  • Ethnicity: people of some origins e.g. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders and those from the Indian sub-continent are at higher risk
  • Family history: if someone in your family has cardiovascular disease, this increases your risk.

If you are concerned about your heart health, speak to your GP today for a referral to a GenesisCare clinic for a heart-health risk assessment.

What does the risk assessment involve?

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A cardiovascular risk assessment with GenesisCare includes the following:

  • Depending on your history, you may undergo a cardiac CT calcium score. This is a scan of the arteries of your heart looking for build-up of calcium, providing a score which can be used to predict your future cardiac risk. This will happen prior to your cardiology consultation to ensure that our team have all the information required to assess your risk.
  • Consultation with a cardiologist and their team where they will take a clinical history and carry out a physical examination including blood pressure designing a personal management plan for you and your heart
  • Electrocardiogram(ECG)
  • Blood tests for cholesterol and glucose (blood sugar) – if not already done
  • Other investigations as determined on clinical need by your cardiologist
  • Then based on this information designing a personal management plan for you and your heart

The assessment findings are delivered by one of our experienced cardiologists, to help you find out your risk of heart disease. A valid letter of referral from your GP is required before attending a heart health risk assessment at a GenesisCare clinic. If you’re currently experiencing symptoms such as breathlessness or a racing heartbeat, call triple zero (000).

Contact us

To discuss your cardiovascular risk and next steps please complete the form below and one of our GenesisCare cardiovascular nurses will call you to discuss the next steps. If this request is urgent please call 000.
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References

  1. Quresh WT et al. J Am C Cardiol 2018; 71(1):1-8.
  2. Heart Research Australia. Risk Factors. Available at: https://www.heartresearch.com.au/heart-disease/risk-factors. [Accessed on: 04/02/2021]
  3. National Heart Foundation of Australia. Are you at risk of heart disease? Available at: https://www.heartfoundation.org.au/heart-health-education/are-you-at-risk-of-heart-disease. [Accessed on: 04/02/2021]
  4. National Health and Medical Research Council. Australian guidelines to reduce health risks from drinking alcohol. Available at: https://www.nhmrc.gov.au/health-advice/alcohol. [Accessed on: 04/02/2021]
  5. Australian Government Department of Health. Exercise and physical activity. Available at: https://www.health.gov.au/health-topics/exercise-and-physical-activity. [Accessed on: 04/02/2021]