Your doctor can assess how likely you are to have a heart attack or stroke in the next five years.
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To do this, your doctor will do what is called a heart health check. It's all about looking at the "big picture" for your heart health, not just one factor alone.
Did you know that seven in 10 adult Australians have at least one risk factor for heart, stroke or blood vessel disease? Or that every 12 minutes an Australian dies from heart, stroke or blood vessel disease.
Most heart attacks and strokes are preventable.
You may not be aware that you have risk factors, as often there are no symptoms.
If you are aged 45 years or older (35 years or older for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples), and have not had a heart attack or stroke, it is recommended that you have a heart health check.
To assess how likely you are to have a heart attack or stroke, your doctor will do a heart health check.
During your consultation you may talk about eating habits, your lifestyle and exercise, your family health history and overall health.
You will also have your blood pressure and cholesterol checked.
Once you have had your check the doctor will give you your level of risk - which will be either, high, medium or low. If you are high risk - it means your level of risk is over 15 per cent and you have at least a 1 in 7 chance of having a heart attack or stroke in the next five years if left unmanaged.
If your level of risk is between 10-15 per cent you are at moderate risk and you have at least a 1 in 10 chance of having a heart attack or stroke in the next five years if left unmanaged.
Low risk means your level of risk is under 10 per cent you have a less than 1 in 10 chance of having a heart attack or stroke in the next five years if left unmanaged.
Depending on your level of risk, your doctor may prescribe medication to lower your cholesterol, or blood pressure, or both.
You will also need to have your level of risk closely monitored.
Discuss with your doctor how often this needs to be done.
What can you do now to improve your heart health?
See your doctor to have a heart health check.
Remember that having a healthy lifestyle is important, no matter what.
You can make positive changes by improving your diet, being active, quitting smoking and reducing your alcohol intake to improve your heart health.
Cardiac nurses will be available in the foyer of Wimmera Health Care Group from 10am-noon on Wednesday, May 8. Or you can contact your local Health Service or GP.