Find out if you’re at risk of Heart Disease
Take our health check guide to your next doctor’s appointment
Get a heart health test that checks your three vitals. One in three people who have had the tests recommended in the heart disease risk assessment found that they needed further follow up from their doctor or specialist. So take along our guide when you next visit your GP and if you are 45 and over, or 30 and over for Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander peoples – your Heart Health Check will be covered by Medicare.
Jeff's Legacy
Emma’s loving husband Jeff died four years ago, leaving behind three children and two stepchildren.
Jeff died on a cold July afternoon from a heart attack when he was in bed with the flu. There was no warning. By the time Emma found him, it was already too late.
Emma now speaks up about heart disease and the importance of getting your own heart checked along with those of your loved ones. She’s shared her story on the radio, in the news, wherever she can.
“Now I’m always telling people to go and get their hearts checked. I don’t want other children to suffer and grow up without their dads.”
After Jeff's sudden heart attack, Emma was adamant on her own dad getting his heart checked. Thankfully, he did because they discovered he had a 97% blockage in one of the arteries. An immediate day surgery saved his life.
What makes Jeff’s death even harder is that a simple day procedure, like the one her dad did could have potentially saved his life, if only he’d had his heart checked.
Scott's Survival
Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute scientist, Scott, and father of two, realised he had a ‘ticking time bomb’ in his chest when he suffered a heart attack at the breakfast table. He almost died. But luckily he was able to recognise the symptoms early and was able to get urgent medical help just in time.
However, Scott says that if he’d had regular heart check-ups with his
doctor, then they would’ve found the problem and he never would have
suffered the heart attack in the first place.
So please use this helpful guide to ask your doctor what you need.
If you’re worried about the heart health of anyone in your family, give them a copy too and encourage them to get checked out.
Heart disease is Australia’s biggest killer and we don’t want to lose the people we love.
Acknowledgement of Country
The Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute acknowledges Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia and recognises the continuing connection to lands, waters and communities. We pay our respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures; and to Elders past and present.
