What is heart disease?

Heart disease is a group of conditions that affect your heart. This includes coronary heart disease and heart failure.

In the early stages of heart disease, you may not have any symptoms. Understanding your risk may help you take steps to lower it and protect your heart.

Symptoms of heart disease may include:

• chest pain that is worse on exercise
• shortness of breath when you exercise or lay flat
• palpitations (the feeling of being aware of your heart beating)

See your doctor if you have any of these symptoms.

When should I be tested for heart disease?

You should be tested for heart disease if you meet certain age or health criteria. Have a heart disease risk check if:

• you are between 45 and 79 years of age
• you are living with diabetes and you are between 35 and 79 years of age
• you are an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person between 30 and 79 years of age

If you are at low risk for heart disease, you should be tested again within 5 years.

If you are at an intermediate risk, you should be tested again within 2 years.

Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people above 30 years of age, you should be tested every 2 years. If you are above 18 years of age, you should have a risk factor screening test.

Watch this video on heart health checks from Heart Foundation.

Am I at risk of heart disease?

There are many risk factors for heart disease. Some risk factors you can't control but others you can.

Risk factors you can't control include:

• age — your risk increases as you get older
• gender — your risk increases at an earlier age if you are male. Female risks increase after menopause or with pregnancy complications.
• family history — if a close relative, such as a parent, sibling or child had heart disease
• ethnic background — Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people are at higher risk at an earlier age

There are risk factors you can control, such as:

• high blood pressure
• smoking and drinking too much alcohol
• high cholesterol
• diabetes
• an unhealthy diet or living with obesity
• not being physically active
• mental health problems, such as depression

Your doctor will discuss your risk results with you. Together you can create a plan to lower your risk.

What happens during a heart disease risk check?

During a heart disease risk check, your doctor may perform tests and ask you questions. Your doctor may:

• ask you questions about your age, family health history, lifestyle and mental health
• measure your blood pressure, cholesterol level and blood sugar levels
• measure your weight and waist circumference

Your doctor may use the Australian cardiovascular disease risk calculator to estimate your risk of developing heart disease.

What happens after a heart disease risk assessment?

Your doctor will talk to you about your test results. They will let you know if you are at low, intermediate or high-level risk of a heart attack or stroke in the next 5 years.

To lower your risk, your doctor will help you to develop a plan for the short and long term. Your doctor may prescribe medicines lower your blood pressure or cholesterol. They may also suggest changes to your lifestyle, such as:

• healthy eating
• becoming more physically active
• quitting smoking (if you smoke)
• reducing your alcohol intake

You may benefit from seeing an accredited practicing dietitian (APD). They can help you make changes to improve your diet.

What will happen if I have heart disease?

If your doctor thinks you may have heart disease, they may arrange more tests, such as:

• echocardiogram (heart ultrasound) — shows your heart structure, including the heart's walls, chambers and valves
• electrocardiogram (ECG) — measures your heart's electrical activity
• stress tests — checks how hard your heart works during exercise
• coronary angiogram or CT angiogram — shows if blood flow to and from the heart is reduced or blocked
• coronary artery calcium screening (CAC) — a type of computed tomography (CT) scan that measures the calcium in your blood vessels

Resources and support

• Learn to eat healthy foods with the Heart Foundation's heart healthy recipes.
• Be active by joining or leading a Heart Foundation walking group for free.
• Learn about yearly health checks with this easy-read fact sheet by the Australian Government.
• The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) has a fact sheet on coronary artery calcium screening (CAC).

You can also call the healthdirect helpline on 1800 022 222 (known as NURSE-ON-CALL in Victoria). A registered nurse is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Other languages

• The Heart Foundation has translated heart health information in many community languages.

Looking for information for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people?

• HealthInfoNet offers advice on cardiovascular health for the Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander community.
• Heart Foundation offers resources about heart health for the Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander community.