In short: A Heart Health Check is a short appointment with your GP to assess your risk of a heart attack or stroke. Medicare has a heart health assessment item for eligible people aged 30 and over who would benefit; the recommended age for routine cardiovascular risk assessment depends on your health and risk factors. Many people are at risk without knowing it, so this check is a simple way to find and act on problems early.
What Is a Heart Health Check?
A Heart Health Check is a structured assessment — lasting at least 20 minutes — where your GP looks at the main factors that affect your risk of cardiovascular disease (problems affecting the heart and blood vessels, such as heart attack and stroke). Rather than waiting for symptoms, it helps you and your GP understand your risk now and take steps to lower it.
Cardiovascular disease remains one of the leading causes of illness and death in Australia, and high blood pressure and high cholesterol often cause no symptoms. A Heart Health Check brings these factors together into a single picture of your risk.
Who Is Eligible for a Medicare Heart Health Check?
Medicare item 699 can apply from age 30 when the assessment is appropriate and all item requirements are met. This is different from the guideline age ranges for routine cardiovascular risk assessment in people without known cardiovascular disease:
- 45–79 years for the general population
- 35–79 years for people with diabetes
- 30–79 years for First Nations people
Your GP can explain which assessment suits you. A Medicare claim is generally limited to once in 12 months and can be affected by other health assessments in that period. Hospital inpatients and residents receiving residential aged care have different arrangements.
Is It Free?
Heart Health Checks are supported by Medicare and are free at practices that bulk bill this service. Medicare eligibility and item arrangements can change over time, so it is worth confirming current details. You can check the arrangements at our clinic on our billing and fees page or by asking our reception team when you book.
What Happens During a Heart Health Check?
During the appointment, your GP will gather the information needed to estimate your risk. This usually includes:
- Measuring your blood pressure
- Checking your cholesterol and blood sugar (this may involve a blood test)
- Asking about your lifestyle — including diet, physical activity, smoking and alcohol
- Asking about your personal and family history of heart disease
- Recording your age and other relevant details
Your GP then uses this information with an Australian cardiovascular risk calculator to estimate your chance of a heart attack or stroke over the coming years. This gives a clearer picture than any single number on its own.
What Happens After the Check?
Once your GP has assessed your risk, you will talk through what it means and what you can do. Depending on your results, this might include:
- Practical advice on diet, physical activity, quitting smoking and other lifestyle changes
- Treatment for high blood pressure or high cholesterol if needed
- Referral to allied health support, such as a dietitian or exercise physiologist
- A plan for follow-up and, for some people, ongoing chronic disease management
Even a small reduction in risk factors can make a meaningful difference over time, and your GP will help you focus on the changes likely to help you most.
How Often Should I Have a Heart Health Check?
For eligible people, a Heart Health Check is generally available each year. Your GP will advise how often you should be reviewed based on your individual risk — some people benefit from more frequent monitoring than others.
Booking Your Heart Health Check in Truganina
Our GPs at Reliance Medical Centre offer Heart Health Checks for eligible patients. Ask your GP whether an assessment is appropriate for your age, medical history and current risk, and when it should be repeated.
To book, book an appointment online or call us on (03) 9958 6699.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is eligible for a Medicare Heart Health Check?
Medicare item 699 can apply to eligible people aged 30 and over who would benefit, subject to the item rules. Routine risk-assessment guidance uses different age ranges: 45–79 generally, 35–79 with diabetes and 30–79 for First Nations people. Your GP can check both clinical suitability and Medicare eligibility.
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. Billing arrangements can vary, so it is worth confirming with the clinic when you book. Our reception team can let you know the current arrangements at our Truganina clinic.
What happens during a Heart Health Check?
Your GP measures your blood pressure, checks your cholesterol and blood sugar (which may need a blood test), and asks about your lifestyle and personal and family history. They then use an Australian risk calculator to estimate your chance of a heart attack or stroke, and work with you on a plan to lower your risk.
How long does a Heart Health Check take?
A Medicare Heart Health Check takes at least 20 minutes. If a blood test is needed for cholesterol or blood sugar, your GP may arrange this separately and discuss the results at a follow-up visit, where they will explain your overall risk and the plan.
How often should I have a Heart Health Check?
For eligible people, a Heart Health Check is generally available each year. How often you actually need one depends on your individual risk — your GP will advise. People with several risk factors may benefit from more frequent review than those at lower risk.
Do I need a Heart Health Check if I feel well?
It may be appropriate, depending on your age and risk factors. High blood pressure and high cholesterol often cause no symptoms, so many people are at increased risk without realising it. A Heart Health Check is designed to find and act on these factors early, before they cause problems, which is why it is offered to people who feel well.
Trusted Sources for Further Reading
- MBS Online — Item 699 and associated eligibility notes
- Heart Foundation — What is a Heart Health Check?
- Heart Foundation — Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Peoples and the Heart Health Check
- MBS Online (Department of Health, Disability and Ageing) — Heart health assessment items
This article is for general information only and does not replace professional medical advice. Eligibility and Medicare arrangements can change. For advice about your heart health, please consult your GP.
