What is a Heart Health Assessment? A Comprehensive Guide
Learn how a heart health assessment helps detect cardiovascular risks early, improve wellbeing, and support prevention with Everlab.
The heart is the engine of the human body, beating roughly 100,000 times a day. But how often do you check in with yours? You may be surprised to learn that coronary heart disease (specifically ischaemic heart disease) remains the single leading cause of death for people living in Australia today. The good news is that most of its risk factors are preventable, and regular heart health assessments can help detect issues early and reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease.
Heart health assessments are an effective way to prevent future complications by identifying and managing risk factors such as high blood pressure and high cholesterol. The sooner you assess your heart, the earlier you can protect your cardiovascular and overall health.
Joining the Everlab program means that you don't have to guess anymore about the state of your heart health. The most important heart health tests are included in the program, and the Everlab doctors can help you understand your risk factors before they progress.
What is a Heart Health Check?
A heart health assessment, or heart Health Check, involves a series of tests and a risk calculator that estimates your likelihood of heart attack or stroke in the next five years.
Your GP, nurse, or other health professional may assess several key factors related to cardiovascular risk, such as:
- Blood pressure
- Cholesterol (total, HDL, LDL, triglycerides)
- Blood glucose
- Weight (BMI)
- Family history (of heart disease)
- Personal history (lifestyle habits and modifiable risk factors)
These results are combined using a validated risk calculator to estimate your five-year cardiovascular risk. A heart health assessment is not just a diagnostic test, it is a proactive measure that helps you take charge of your heart health before symptoms appear.
The Everlab Heart Health Tests include a doctor-reviewed blood panel that measures total cholesterol, HDL, LDL, triglycerides, and lipoprotein, assessing key markers linked with cardiovascular disease risk.
Why is a Heart Health Assessment Important?
Heart disease often develops gradually and without symptoms. Even small increases in blood pressure and cholesterol, compounded by poor lifestyle habits, can strain arteries and the heart muscle.
A heart health check allows you to:
- Identify early warning signs before complications occur
- Detect modifiable risk factors such as diet, exercise, or smoking
- Receive professional guidance on improving heart health
- Monitor your progress over time
According to the Heart Foundation, a heart health check can help prevent heart attacks through early identification and management of risk factors. They are recommended for people aged 45 years and over, or 30 years and over for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples at higher risk of developing cardiovascular disease.
How is Cardiovascular Risk Assessed?
Your GP uses a cardiovascular risk calculator to assess your five-year risk of heart attack or stroke, based on factors such as:
- Age and sex
- Blood pressure
- Total and HDL cholesterol
- Smoking status
- Diabetes status
- Family history of heart disease
After the assessment, you will fall into one of three categories: low, moderate, or high risk. If you are in a higher risk category, your GP will create a management plan that may include lifestyle changes, medication, or referrals to specialists.
What is Cardiovascular Disease (CVD)?
Cardiovascular disease includes various conditions of the heart and blood vessels, such as:
- Coronary artery disease
- Heart failure
- Stroke
Many of these conditions share similar risk factors, including high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, obesity, inactivity, and smoking. Symptoms often do not appear until damage has already occurred, which is why identifying issues like high cholesterol or poor glucose metabolism early is so important.
What is Included in a Heart Health Assessment?
A typical heart health assessment with your GP may include:
1). Medical and Family History Assessment
Your family history of heart disease and other conditions such as diabetes or kidney disease is reviewed to identify additional risk factors.
2). Blood Pressure Check
High blood pressure (hypertension) is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease. A clinic reading above 140/90 mmHg is generally considered high. When self-tested at home, consistent readings above 135/85 mmHg may indicate high blood pressure and should prompt discussion with a GP. Optimal blood pressure is below 120/80 mmHg.
3). Blood Tests
To assess total cholesterol (HDL, LDL, triglycerides) and blood glucose levels.
4). Weight Assessment
Your GP or health professional will measure your weight and height to calculate your Body Mass Index (BMI). A BMI of 25 or higher indicates overweight, while 30 or higher indicates obesity, both of which increase the risk of heart disease.
5). Lifestyle Assessment
You may be asked about diet, exercise, smoking, and alcohol use. Your GP can provide tailored advice if your habits increase your risk.
6). Risk Assessment
Clinically validated tools such as a CVD risk calculator are used to estimate your five-year cardiovascular risk.
7). Action Plan
A personalised plan may follow, with guidance on medication, nutrition, exercise, or referrals to specialists.
How to Move Forward and Prevent Cardiovascular Disease
Once you have had a Heart Health Assessment, the next step is to take proactive measures to maintain or improve your heart health. Evidence-based strategies include:
- Eat for your heart: Choose whole foods, vegetables, lean proteins, olive oil, and avocados to support heart health.
- Stay active: Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise each week. Brisk walking, cycling, or swimming all count.
- Do not smoke: Smoking damages blood vessels and increases the risk of heart attack and stroke.
- Maintain a healthy weight: Managing your BMI helps reduce strain on the heart.
- Manage stress: Chronic stress can elevate blood pressure and inflammation.
- Monitor regularly: Blood pressure and cholesterol can be checked actively between doctor consultations.
Why Test with Everlab?
If you would like to stay on top of your heart health Everlab’s heart health tests offer an accessible way to check key markers year-round. A registered Australian doctor reviews each test result and provides general lifestyle guidance.
Our heart health tests assess:
- Total cholesterol
- HDL and LDL cholesterol
- Triglycerides
- Blood pressure
By combining GP care with Everlab’s convenient diagnostics, you gain a clearer picture of your cardiovascular health.
Final Thoughts: Your Heart Moves for You
Understanding your heart health is empowering because it allows you to take action before problems arise. You do not have to wait for symptoms to start caring for your heart. Everlab’s Heart Health Tests offer a simple and reliable way to begin monitoring your cardiovascular wellbeing.
Protect your heart and check in with it regularly.
Sources:
- Causes of death Australia - Australian Bureau of Statistics
- Cardiovascular risk assessment: The foundation of preventive cardiology by Nathan D Wong
- Heart disease risk factors - Centre for Disease Control and Prevention
Steven is a specialist general practitioner, preventative health consultant, medical educator, healthcare entrepreneur and co-founder of Everlab. With 15+ years of clinical experience, and driven by his passion for preventive care outcomes, Steven is dedicated to personalised and innovative approaches to enhance well-being, extend human lifespan, and improve healthspan.
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