Heart Health Checks
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What is a Heart Health Check?
A Heart Health Check is a 20-minute check-up with your doctor.
It can help you know your risk of having a heart attack or stroke in the next 5 years and what you can do to protect your heart.
Your doctor and nurse can support you to take steps to lower your risk.
Why should you get a Heart Health Check?
Heart disease is the leading cause of death for people living in Australia. Many heart attacks and strokes can be prevented if you know your risk early and take steps to protect your heart.
Many people may not know their risk of heart disease, since you often can’t feel risk factors like high blood pressure and high cholesterol.
Who needs a Heart Health Check?
Speak to your doctor about a heart health check if you do not already have heart disease and are:
- 45 years and over
- 35 years and over for people living with diabetes
- 30 years and over for First Nations peoples
What can you expect at a Heart Health Check?
During a Heart Health Check, a doctor or nurse will:
- Review and update your medical and family history
- Check your blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar levels
- Discuss healthy habits such as diet and exercise
- Calculate your chance of having a heart attack or stroke in the next five years
- Develop a plan to lower risk which may include lifestyle changes and/or medicines recommended for you.
How much does a Heart Health Check cost?
Heart Health Checks are covered by Medicare and are free at practices that bulk bill this service. Ask your doctor about the cost of your Heart Health Check before your visit.
What can you do now to improve your heart health?
Many heart attacks and strokes can be prevented by having healthy habits like following a heart-healthy eating pattern, being active, maintaining a healthy weight, being smoke-free or taking medication prescribed by your doctor to help lower your risk.
For more tips on how to protect your heart, refer to our Building blocks of a healthy heart brochure below.
More heart health resources to explore
Building blocks of a healthy heart
Blood pressure information card
Click here for more Heart Foundation resources in your language.
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Heart health information in your language
A selection of heart health information brochures in a range languages
What is a Heart Health Check? (Animation)
A Heart Health Check is a regular checkup performed by your doctor. A Heart Health Check helps you to understand your risk factors for heart disease and estimate how likely you are to have a heart attack or stroke in the next five years.
Time to book a Heart Health Check?
A Heart Health Check with your GP will help you understand your risk of having a heart attack or stroke in the next 5 years and what you can do to prevent it.
Last updated30 October 2025