Cardiac risk, cholesterol and blood pressure

High cholesterol, high blood pressure, diabetes, smoking and family history all add to the risk of heart disease. A risk assessment brings these together, and sometimes adds a coronary calcium score, to decide how much treatment is worthwhile for you.

1What you might notice

  • Usually no symptoms
  • A strong family history of early heart disease
  • High cholesterol or blood pressure found on routine checks

2Tests that help

  • Blood tests

    Cholesterol, sugar and sometimes lipoprotein(a).

  • Coronary calcium score

    A quick CT scan that measures calcified plaque and helps refine risk.

  • Blood pressure monitoring

    Home or 24-hour readings give a truer picture.

3Treatment options

  • Lifestyle

    Practical, realistic changes to exercise, diet, weight and smoking.

  • Medicines

    Cholesterol and blood-pressure tablets when the overall risk justifies them.

Seeing Dr Ramzy about this

Ask your GP for a referral to Dr John Ramzy, then request an appointment at Heidelberg, Knox or by telehealth. All new referrals are offered an appointment within two weeks, usually sooner.