.jpeg)
About the Toolkit
Setting the scene
One Australian has a heart attack or stroke every four minutes1, which makes it vital that we prioritise the prevention of cardiovascular disease (CVD). General practice teams play a pivotal role in the fight against CVD.
The MBS supports the Heart Health Check
In April 2019, MBS items 699 and 177 (for non-vocationally registered GPs), known as the Heart Health Check, were introduced. This preventative health assessment aims to identify patients at risk of CVD-related events. The Heart Health Check is the first MBS item to specify absolute CVD risk. It can be claimed on an annual basis and includes age groups previously excluded by other health assessment items.
Why a Toolkit?
The purpose of this online Toolkit is to support and encourage general practices to integrate Heart Health Checks into routine patient care. It provides a range of resources and easy-to-use tools in one place.
By making the Heart Health Check easier to plan, recall and implement (as per the guidelines), more patients at risk will be identified and treated, ultimately lowering the morbidity and mortality of CVD in Australia.
How will this make a difference?
Modelling over the next five years has indicated that 76,500 CVD-related events – including heart attack, stroke and death – could be prevented with the uptake of Heart Health Checks.2
References
- Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, National Hospital Morbidity Database (NHMD), 2019.
- Heart Foundation internal economic modelling, 2019.
Read next ...
Conducting Heart Health Checks
Acknowledgements
It is with sincere and heartfelt thanks that the Heart Foundation acknowledges the contribution of many individuals and organisations to the development of this toolkit. Without their willingness to collaborate, contribute, share and innovate, this resource would not have been possible.
With special thanks to members of the following teams:
Heart Health Check Toolkit Expert Advisory Group
A/Prof Ralph Audehm (VIC)
Ms Riwka Hagen (VIC)
Ms Felicity Sammut (VIC)
Ms Pauline Barradell (WA)
Ms Jenni Hall (WA)
Ms Annabelle Williams (NSW)
Mr Kenneth Limosnero (SA)
Dr Tanusha Ramaloo (QLD)
Ms Lisa Taliana (VIC)
General Practice Validation Group
Dr Carl Jansz (VIC)
Ms Jane Hollier (VIC)
Ms Katy Hunt (WA)
Ms Ruth Debuque (NT)
Ms Marie Bottolfsen (NT)
Ms Jo Kruger (QLD)
Dr Gary Deed (QLD)
Ms Anna Scott (NSW)
Ms Angeline Johnston (ACT)
Digital development and design agencies
Neoteny Service Design
Luminary Digital
Relax Design
Internal support from the Heart Foundation
Heart Health Check Toolkit Working Group
Sophie Gohl (VIC)
Kerry Hollier (VIC)
Natalie Raffoul (NSW)
Jessica Zeng (NSW)
Cate Ferry (NSW)
Kerryn Brims (NSW)
Robyn Smith (ACT)
Bindu Valsala Chandran (NT)
Christine Hygonnet (SA)
Sandra Lonergan (TAS)
Jaclyn Coffey (QLD)
Julie Smith (WA)
Bruce Ransley (TAS)
Digital team
Matt Dickson (VIC)
Christa Brajkovich (VIC)
Health Insights team
Seona Powell (VIC)
Julie Houston (VIC)
Media and Marketing team
Claudia Wilkinson (NSW)
Alyce Turpin (NSW)
Heart Health team
Please direct any queries regarding this resource to contactus@heartfoundation.org.au
![]() | The National Heart Foundation of Australia acknowledges the support of the Victorian Government in the development of the Heart Health Check Toolkit. |
Health Professional Tools
Health Professional Tools
Health Professional Tools
Guidelines, publications and support for the health professional community....
Together, we can change the future of heart disease
Together, we can change the future of heart disease
Together, we can change the future of heart disease
The power of your ongoing support can help save lives and keep more families together. Help us continue to fund promising heart research projects by donating today. ...
Heart Week 2022
Heart Week 2022
Heart Week 2022
With one Australian having a heart attack or stroke every 4 minutes, you have the power to change this statistic. ...
Time to book a Heart Health Check?
Time to book a Heart Health Check?
Time to book a Heart Health Check?
If you're 45 and over, or 30 and over if you're of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent, you should book your Heart Health Check today...
Heart Health Check Toolkit
Heart Health Check Toolkit
Baking recipes
Baking recipes
Baking recipes
Find heart healthy baking recipes ...
COVID-19 info & FAQs
COVID-19 info & FAQs
COVID-19 info & FAQs
Information and FAQs about COVID-19 and heart disease....
Driving Best Practice CVD Prevention in a Post-COVID World
Driving Best Practice CVD Prevention in a Post-COVID World
Driving Best Practice CVD Prevention in a Post-COVID World
Moroccan vegetarian tray bake
Moroccan vegetarian tray bake
Moroccan vegetarian tray bake
Beef Burgers
Beef Burgers
Beef Burgers
Asian recipes
Asian recipes
Asian recipes
Find heart healthy Asian recipes....
What is heart disease?
What is heart disease?
What is heart disease?
Heart disease is the broad term for conditions that affect the structure and function of the heart muscle. ...
Toolkit in practice
Toolkit in practice
Toolkit in practice
Hear from colleagues in primary care as they share their experience with Heart Health Checks and the Toolkit in practice...
Heart attack recovery – quit smoking
Heart attack recovery – quit smoking
Heart attack recovery – quit smoking
Smoking is a major risk factor for heart disease. Get the facts on quitting and how it can help you recover. ...
Improving the Well-Being of Patients with Heart Failure
Improving the Well-Being of Patients with Heart Failure
Professor Andrew Boyle, Institution: The University of Newcastle...
Hypertension clinical information and guidelines
Hypertension clinical information and guidelines
Clinical information for diagnosis and management of hypertension....
A new way to regulate blood and liver fats
A new way to regulate blood and liver fats
Associate Professor Anna Calkin, Institution: Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute...
Absolute CVD risk charts
Absolute CVD risk charts
Absolute CVD risk charts provide a visual tool to calculate CVD risk for use in practice in Australia....
Italian recipes
Italian recipes
Italian recipes
Find heart healthy Italian recipes....
Absolute CVD risk calculator
Absolute CVD risk calculator
The Absolute CVD risk calculator estimates the likelihood of having a heart attack or stroke in the next five years....
Cardiovascular disease risk factors and heart attack warning signs in women
Cardiovascular disease risk factors and heart attack warning signs in women
Cardiovascular disease risk factors and heart attack warning signs in women
Information for healthcare professionals and the public on cardiovascular disease risk factors and warning signs affecting women. ...
Kids recipes
Kids recipes
Kids recipes
Find heart healthy kids recipes...
One pan honey mustard chicken
One pan honey mustard chicken
One pan honey mustard chicken
Ultrasound therapy to promote blood flow and save heart muscle during heart attack: A Pilot Study
Ultrasound therapy to promote blood flow and save heart muscle during heart attack: A Pilot Study
Professor Kazuaki Negishi, Institution: University of Sydney...
The Best (and Worst) Drinks for Heart Health
The Best (and Worst) Drinks for Heart Health
The Best (and Worst) Drinks for Heart Health
Water is the most heart-healthy drink, but there are other drinks that you can enjoy in moderation....
Q&A with Dr Rachel Climie
Q&A with Dr Rachel Climie
Q&A with Dr Rachel Climie
Vascular ageing and cardiovascular disease in high-risk populations...
Sorting out your finances after a heart attack
Sorting out your finances after a heart attack
Sorting out your finances after a heart attack
Explore how to manage your financial concerns after a heart attack. ...
What is atrial fibrillation?
What is atrial fibrillation?
What is atrial fibrillation?
Atrial fibrillation is a type of arrhythmia where your heart beats irregularly and fast....
Supporting Young Hearts Podcast
Supporting Young Hearts Podcast
Supporting Young Hearts Podcast
Supporting Young Hearts is a six-episode series interviewing young people with lived experience of heart conditions and talking through advice for supporting emotional health and well-being....
GLOBAL CARDIOVASCULAR RESEARCH FUNDERS FORUM
GLOBAL CARDIOVASCULAR RESEARCH FUNDERS FORUM
GLOBAL CARDIOVASCULAR RESEARCH FUNDERS FORUM
FACILITATING INTERNATIONAL CLINICAL TRIALS ...