Understanding Your Heart Health Risk Factors

Heart disease remains one of the leading causes of death in Australia. Much of the risk comes from factors that can be identified and managed well before a heart attack or stroke occurs. Knowing your own risk is the first step.

The factors that matter most

Blood pressure, cholesterol, blood glucose, weight, smoking status and family history all contribute to overall cardiovascular risk. None of these tell the full story on their own. It is the combination that matters, which is why a proper risk assessment looks at several factors together rather than any single number.

Some risk factors, like family history and age, cannot be changed. Others, including blood pressure, cholesterol, physical activity and smoking, can be improved with the right support and enough time.

The Heart Health Check

Patients aged 45 and over, or 30 and over for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, can ask their GP about a Heart Health Check. This is a dedicated consultation that looks specifically at cardiovascular risk and is supported by a Medicare rebate under MBS item 699. It typically includes a discussion of your risk factors, a physical examination and, where appropriate, referral for blood tests.

The Heart Foundation recommends this kind of structured check as a practical way to catch risk early, well before symptoms would otherwise prompt a visit.

Small changes, measured over time

Improving cardiovascular risk is rarely about one dramatic change. Small, sustained adjustments to diet, activity and smoking status, tracked over months rather than days, tend to produce the most reliable results. Your GP can help set realistic goals and monitor progress at follow-up visits.

If you are due for a check or simply want to understand your own numbers, book a conversation with your GP.

Source: Heart Foundation Australia, cardiovascular risk factors and the Heart Health Check.