Healthy Heart Pilot Program
Heart disease accounts for an average of 118 deaths per day in Australia, but did you know that heart attacks and strokes can be prevented, especially if risk factors are detected and managed early?
How healthy is your heart? In support of helping deliver our vision of making Tasmania the Healthiest Island on the Planet, St Lukes have partnered with Dr Warrick Bishop and his team at the Healthy Heart Network to combat heart disease in Tasmania.
Frequently asked questions
Contact us on 1300 651 988 or email healthservices@stlukes.com.au to enrol.
Once you have registered your interest, an email will be sent to you welcoming you to the program and providing a link to the Healthy Heart Network website for you to complete the enrolment process and begin the program.
Participation in the pilot study program is of no cost to yourself. We will cover the full cost of the program including a Coronary Artery Calcium (CAC) Score CT scan, if you choose to undertake this part of the process. However, additional charges such as purchases made through the Healthy Heart Network website (including the optional personal CT scan results reading by Dr Warrick Bishop) will be at your own expense.
The program consists of a virtual heart assessment, a range of online educational course modules, a Coronary Artery Calcium (CAC) Score CT scan (if you decide to undertake) and a follow up survey every three months for 12 months. Your results will be provided to your General Practitioner.
The program is delivered on a web-based platform where you will complete your virtual heart assessment and through email communications from the Healthy Heart Network. The program may also recommend you undertake a Coronary Artery Calcium (CAC) Score CT scan at your local I-Med Radiology clinic (if you choose to partake in this part of the process).
The virtual heart assessment is a web-based questionnaire and uses video prompts and education to guide you through the questionnaire. Once complete, you will be provided with a risk score, and if moderate or greater, you will be recommended a Cardiac Calcium Score CT scan.
The Coronary Artery Calcium (CAC) Score CT scan is a non-invasive computed tomography (CT) scan of the heart that looks for calcium containing plaque deposits within the coronary arteries. Calcified plaque can build up in your arteries which restricts blood flow to the heart and increases your risk of heart attack. A Coronary Artery Calcium (CAC) Score CT scan can help to identify your risk of cardiac disease before showing any signs and symptoms.
Once you have completed your virtual heart assessment and received your risk score, you can book in your CT scan consultation by clicking the red flashing banner “Next Step… Your Personal Virtual Heart Scan Consultation” and follow the prompts. The HHN team will arrange for your local l-Med Radiology clinic to contact you to make an appointment. This assessment does not include use of contrast as part of the assessment.
Results of your radiology report will be available for you to download and forward to your General Practitioner through your St Lukes Healthy Heart account under the ‘Purchases’ section in ‘My Zone’. For an additional fee at your own expense, you can request a personal CT scan results reading by Dr. Warrick Bishop, who’s extensive experience and knowledge will provide you with a second set of eyes for a more accurate reading, plus personal suggestions for therapy based on your scan results.
St Lukes will follow up with you to seek feedback on results and any interventions implemented including:
• Actual calcium score
• Cholesterol level
• Prescribed medications (including Aspirin, Blood Pressure and Diabetes medications)
• Lifestyle changes (including exercise and weight loss efforts)
• Any further investigations/interventions and,
• Individual satisfaction.De-identified data will be provided between St Lukes and the Healthy Heart Network for reporting on the results of the program.
St Lukes will only receive the above information if you choose to provide it to us. Participation in this feedback is entirely voluntary and will not impact on your access to the full program.
Have you signed up to our Wellbeing Platform?
At St Lukes your wellbeing is important to us, and we want to support you in ensuring that wellbeing is an active process of you becoming more aware of and making choices towards your more successful existence.
The Wellbeing Platform is accessible through your St Lukes Connect account which is available on mobile and desktop.
This complimentary program contains a range of guided programs, on-demand workouts, activities and other wellness information provided to you by health experts and coaches, through videos, podcasts and articles.
Click here to learn more about the program and to register.