General Cardiology

Due to high demand, we adhere to certain referral criteria when accepting referrals.

• Where applicable, we accept patients based on the statewide referral criteria for Cardiology.
• For all other conditions, we require evidence of an active cardiac problem with symptoms and/or abnormalities on cardiac tests.

Declined referrals

If a patient does not meet criteria, our triaging team will make best efforts to inform you of the reason why.

Stable coronary disease

We are unable to accept patients with stable coronary disease, including elevated calcium score or incidental coronary calcification on CT and prior coronary intervention/CABG without active symptoms, including chest pain or shortness of breath.

These patients require aggressive risk factor control (such as blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes, weight management, smoking cessation).

Aligned with major cardiac guidelines, we advocate for an LDL cholesterol of less than 1.8mmol/L.

Note that there is limited evidence to support further coronary investigation or revascularisation in asymptomatic people with coronary disease. See Guidelines for assessing and managing CVD risk.

Please note that due to high clinic demand, we are unable to accept patients with the following conditions.

Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS)

We are unable to accept patients with postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) or other autonomic dysregulation problems, including unexplained tachycardia, palpitations, low blood pressure, or atypical chest pain with normal cardiac tests.

We recognise that these are significant problems that can cause considerable morbidity for many people.

Nonetheless, due to the high burden of these conditions in the community we do not have the resources to manage this in our hospital system.

Furthermore, these conditions are systemic problems of autonomic messaging and therefore require a systemic approach.

There are many specialist services now available to investigate and manage these conditions, including specialist general physicians, cardiologists, exercise physiologist and physiotherapists.

See POTS Foundation for more information.

Stable coronary disease

We are unable to accept patients with stable coronary disease, including elevated calcium score or incidental coronary calcification on CT and prior coronary intervention/CABG without active symptoms, including chest pain or shortness of breath.

These patients require aggressive risk factor control (such as blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes, weight management, smoking cessation).

Aligned with major cardiac guidelines, we advocate for an LDL cholesterol of less than 1.8mmol/L.

Note that there is limited evidence to support further coronary investigation or revascularisation in asymptomatic people with coronary disease. See Guidelines for assessing and managing CVD risk.