Specialist consultation
Understand the reason for a cardiology review and the questions to discuss with your clinician.
Explore the assessmentYOUR HEART, OUR PRIORITY
Heart concerns can be hard to interpret on your own. Understand specialist care, prepare for your appointment and know which questions to ask.
Heart care, made clearer
A specialist review may help clarify whether further assessment is needed. Your GP can help decide whether a cardiologist referral or a cardiac test is appropriate.
Understand the reason for a cardiology review and the questions to discuss with your clinician.
Explore the assessment
Ask which test matches your clinical situation and what its result could change about your care.
Understand testing
Know what to bring, what to tell your clinician and how to prepare for your appointment.
Prepare for your visit
Confirm referral requirements, eligibility and any out-of-pocket costs before making arrangements.
Plan your appointmentThe right choice depends on your symptoms, medical history and clinician’s assessment.
What to expect
A heart assessment starts with understanding your situation. Here is a general guide to the conversation you might have with your clinician.
Get ready for your visitThis is a general guide. Confirm the process directly with your practice.
Explain what has changed, when symptoms started and why the referral was made.
Your clinician considers your medical history, medicines and any previous ECG, imaging or pathology reports.
Further testing, monitoring, treatment or GP follow-up may be considered depending on the findings.
Ask who will provide the results, when they are expected and what symptoms should prompt earlier care.
Your appointment checklist
Keep your information together so you can focus on the conversation.
Before your visit
Note your symptoms and bring earlier tests or letters if available. Explain any allergies, pregnancy, kidney problems, implanted devices or accessibility needs that could affect an assessment.
Do not stop prescribed medicines unless your treating clinician instructs you to do so.
Tests & clinical decisions
Different heart symptoms can call for different assessments. A named test or treatment is not automatically necessary for everyone who has a related symptom or condition.
Ask your clinician which test matches your symptoms and how the reports will be communicated. If a service requires hospital facilities or another specialist, confirm the provider and location before arranging care.
More questions about heart carePlanning ahead
Understand the practical details before making arrangements.
A GP referral is commonly used when seeking a cardiology consultation. Medicare eligibility, clinic fees and possible out-of-pocket costs depend on the service and your circumstances.
Diagnostic tests and hospital procedures may have separate arrangements. Ask for the current fee, any rebate and the referral requirements before booking.
Review your next stepYour questions
Answers to common questions about heart specialist care, referrals and preparing for an appointment.
Heart concerns can be hard to interpret on your own. A specialist review may help clarify whether further assessment is needed.
A GP can help decide whether a cardiologist referral or a cardiac test is appropriate.
Ask your GP or treating clinician whether heart specialist care is appropriate and confirm the current appointment or referral pathway directly with the practice.
Ask which specialist expertise or test matches your symptoms and how reports will be communicated.
A referral is often needed for specialist appointments and Medicare benefits. Confirm the current referral requirements before booking.
Fees and Medicare rebates depend on the consultation, test or procedure and individual eligibility. Request the current fee and any out-of-pocket cost before attending.
Bring your medication list, relevant test results, previous cardiology letters and any referral that applies.
Call 000 in Australia for severe or persistent chest pain, major breathing difficulty, collapse or other signs of a medical emergency.