For professionals: Cardiovascular disease risk assessment for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples 

The consensus statement was developed by key peak bodies including the Heart Foundation, Australian National University, Royal Australian College of General Practitioners, National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation, Central Australian Rural Practitioners Association, Editorial Committee for Remote Primary Health Care Manuals, and other Australian Chronic Disease Prevention Alliance members.

You can find more information on how these recommendations were developed  in the consensus statement.    

• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples without existing CVD should undergo CVD risk factor screening from the age of 18 years at the latest. This includes diabetes and chronic kidney disease.  
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples without existing CVD should undergo  an absolute CVD risk  assessment  from  age 30 years  at the latest (cvdcheck.org.au). This now aligns with the Heart Health Check MBS item eligibility criteria.   
• Assessment should occur as part of an annual health check or opportunistically. Subsequent reviews should be conducted according to the level of risk.    
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples aged 18 - 29 years with the following clinical conditions are automatically conferred a high CVD risk status:    
  • type 2 diabetes and microalbuminuria   
  • moderate to severe chronic kidney disease   
  • high blood pressure: systolic blood pressure ≥ 180mmHg or diastolic blood pressure ≥ 110mmHg   
  • high cholesterol: serum total cholesterol > 7.5 mmol/l   
  • family history of high cholesterol.   

General practices servicing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities have the option of conducting a health assessment specific to Indigenous patients (MBS item 715). This item offers wider clinical assessment options, greater age eligibility, and can be repeated every nine months.   

An absolute CVD risk calculation should be carried out during the 715 assessment, from age of 30 years.   

Visit the Australian National University website for CVD risk resources that are designed for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.