Physical assessment
An assessment and physical
examination may help your doctor decide
whether you have a heart problem and if you need other
tests.
If you already have heart disease, having an assessment or
check-up can help to monitor how you are doing.
During an assessment, your doctor will:
- ask you about your medical history and your family history
- ask you questions about your lifestyle, such as whether you
smoke
- listen to your heart and lungs through a stethoscope,
and
- take your blood pressure and
pulse.
Health checks
If you’re over 40, a health check
- sometimes called a cardiovascular risk
assessment or a heart health assessment
- is a test to find out about your risk of developing
cardiovascular disease.
Based on the results of your assessment, your
GP or nurse will advise you on what you can do to keep your heart
healthy.
Your GP will also consider if you need
treatment - such as medicine to protect your heart.
A heart health check includes:
