Cardiology at Canberra Hospital

We care for and treat people with problems and injuries relating to the heart and circulatory system.

About this service

Our Cardiology service is part of a larger service that includes the Cardiac Catheter Laboratory, Electrophysiology (EP), Interventional Cardiac Procedures, Heart Failure and Cardiac Rehabilitation, and the Coronary Care Unit.

We offer a range of Allied Health led Diagnostic investigations and interventions including:

• Electrocardiography (ECG)
• Stress Electrocardiography (Exercise Stress Test)
• Ambulatory Electrocardiography (Holter Monitoring) and
• Echocardiography.

Our key areas of focus are:

• Valve disease
• Coronary artery disease
• Heart Failure
• Arrhythmia
• Hypertension
• Electrophysiology (EP)
• Cardiac Imaging
  • Echocardiogram
  • Exercise Stress
  • Dobutamine stress
  • Electrocardiography
  • 24-hour Holter Monitor
• Interventional Cardiac Procedures
  • Cardiac catheterization
  • Angiography
  • Cardioversion
  • Angioplasty
  • Intra-aortic balloon
  • Transesophageal echocardiography
  • Pacemaker
  • Automated cardio inverter and defibrillation.

Cardiology is also offered at North Canberra Hospital. We have more information about North Canberra Hospital’s Cardiology service.

Who we care for

We offer these services for free if you have a Medicare Card or an Asylum Seeker Card.

How to access this service

Your GP or medical practitioner will organise for you to access this service.

One of our doctors will review and triage your referral once we receive it.

We will write to both you and your referring doctor to let you know we have received your referral.

Some conditions are more urgent than others, so for this reason, you may be placed on a waiting list.

One of our team members will get in touch with you to book your initial appointment based on your triage category and place in the queue.

We’ll send you a letter with your appointment details once it is booked. We’ll also send you a reminder two weeks before your appointment. If you have this set up, you will receive an SMS reminder three days before your appointment.

What to expect

We diagnose and treat a number of conditions and diseases including:

• Valve disease
• Coronary heart disease
• Heart failure
• Arrythmia
• Hypertension (high blood pressure).

We diagnose some of these conditions with cardiac imaging, where we use special equipment to get images of your heart or blood vessels.

Your condition may be treated with:

• Medication to manage your symptoms
• Surgery
• Inserting a device such as a pacemaker or stent

For some conditions, making changes to your lifestyle will help.

What to bring to your appointment

• Medicare card
• Any letters or correspondence from your GP
• Health Care Card and/or concession card (if you have one)
• Private health insurance card (if applicable/if you want to use it)
• List of medicines you are currently taking (or the boxes), including medicines you have bought without a prescription, such as herbal supplements and vitamins
• Reading glasses (if required)

Where we’re located

Canberra Hospital, Building 1, Level 3.

We have directions to Canberra Hospital.

Resources

Heart Foundation - heart valve disease

Heart Foundation - coronary heart disease

Heart Foundation - heart failure

Heart Foundation - heart arrhythmia

Heart Foundation - blood pressure and your heart