Frequently Asked Questions

Bulk billing means we accept the Medicare rebate as full payment for your consultation and tests. You pay absolutely nothing out of pocket. Medicare covers the entire cost and we bill them directly on your behalf. This applies to all our services including specialist consultations, echocardiogram, stress echocardiogram, Holter monitoring, and CT coronary angiogram including calcium score referral consultations.

Most specialist cardiologists in Australia charge a private fee, which can leave patients with significant out-of-pocket gap payments — often hundreds of dollars per visit. As a Medicare Bulk Billing practice, Complete Heart Centre removes this financial barrier entirely, so you can access expert cardiac care without worrying about cost.

You need two things: a valid Medicare card and a referral from your doctor. Australian citizens, permanent residents, and visitors from countries with a reciprocal healthcare agreement are eligible for Medicare. If you hold a Health Care Card, Pensioner Concession Card, or Commonwealth Seniors Health Card you are also fully covered.

Yes, all cardiology referrals are accepted — from general practitioners, other specialists, and healthcare providers. A valid referral is a Medicare requirement for all specialist appointments.

Referrals from a GP are valid for 12 months from the date of issue. Referrals from specialists are valid for 3 months from the date of issue.

We recommend wearing a 2-piece outfit to allow for the removal of the top half of clothing for any tests. When you make an appointment, we will advise you if there are any specific requirements to prepare for the test you are having.

If you need to reschedule an appointment, please contact us on 1300 935 952 as soon as possible, and we will reschedule your appointment to another time more suitable.

If you are experiencing sudden or severe chest pain, call 000 immediately. For recurrent, mild, or exercise-related chest pain, you should see your GP for an initial assessment and ask for a referral to a cardiologist. Dr Grewal can perform a range of tests including an echocardiogram, stress echocardiogram, and CT coronary angiogram to identify the cause of your chest pain. All tests are fully bulk billed through Medicare.

Palpitations, a racing heart, or a feeling that your heart is skipping beats can be investigated with a 24 Hour Holter Monitor, which records every heartbeat over a full day during your normal activities. Dr Grewal may also recommend an echocardiogram to check your heart structure. Both tests are available at our Sydenham, Bundoora and Williams Landing clinics and are fully bulk billed through Medicare.

If your blood pressure is consistently elevated or difficult to control with medication, your GP may refer you to a cardiologist for specialist assessment. Dr Grewal can evaluate the effect of high blood pressure on your heart using an echocardiogram and may recommend further tests to assess your overall cardiovascular risk. All services are fully bulk billed through Medicare.

Our Sydenham clinic serves patients within 20 kilometres including Taylors Lakes, Keilor, Caroline Springs, St Albans, Deer Park, Hillside, Sunshine, Essendon, Tullamarine, Melton, Sunbury, Craigieburn, and surrounding suburbs. Our Bundoora clinic serves Mill Park, Heidelberg, Greensborough, Epping, Reservoir, Preston, South Morang, Mernda, Craigieburn, Eltham, Doncaster, and surrounding suburbs. Our Williams Landing clinic serves Point Cook, Altona, Hoppers Crossing, Werribee, Tarneit, Truganina, Williamstown, Newport, Laverton, and surrounding suburbs. All services at every clinic are fully bulk billed through Medicare.

A cardiologist may recommend an echocardiogram (heart ultrasound), a stress echocardiogram (exercise stress test), or a CT coronary angiogram including calcium score. The choice of test depends on your symptoms and risk factors. At Complete Heart Centre, all consultations and diagnostic tests are fully bulk billed through Medicare.

If you are experiencing sudden, severe, or crushing chest pain, call 000 immediately. For recurrent or exercise-related chest pain that resolves with rest, see your GP for an initial assessment and ask for a referral to a cardiologist. A specialist can run tests to identify the cause and create a management plan.

Most palpitations are harmless and caused by stress, caffeine, or exercise. However, palpitations that are frequent, prolonged, or accompanied by dizziness, chest pain, or fainting can indicate a heart rhythm disorder that needs investigation. A 24 Hour Holter Monitor can record your heart rhythm during normal activities to detect any abnormalities.

A 24 Hour Holter Monitor is the most common test for palpitations. It is a small portable device that records every heartbeat over a full day while you go about your normal routine. This captures intermittent episodes that may not occur during a short clinic visit. At Complete Heart Centre, Holter monitoring is fully bulk billed through Medicare.

Yes. Consistently elevated blood pressure forces the heart to work harder, which can cause the heart muscle to thicken and eventually weaken. This can lead to heart failure, coronary artery disease, and stroke. An echocardiogram can detect early signs of heart damage from high blood pressure before symptoms develop.

If your blood pressure remains elevated despite taking medication, or if your GP detects signs that your heart may be affected, you should see a cardiologist. A specialist can assess the impact on your heart using an echocardiogram and provide a comprehensive cardiovascular risk assessment. All consultations at Complete Heart Centre are bulk billed.

Heart failure does not mean the heart has stopped working. It means the heart is not pumping blood as efficiently as it should. This can cause breathlessness, fatigue, and fluid retention. With early diagnosis and proper management, many people with heart failure live active lives. An echocardiogram is the primary test used to diagnose heart failure.

Heart failure is primarily diagnosed with an echocardiogram, which measures how well the heart is pumping (the ejection fraction), the size of the heart chambers, and how the valves are functioning. Blood tests, a chest X-ray, and a Holter monitor may also be used. At Complete Heart Centre, all diagnostic tests are fully bulk billed through Medicare.

Coronary artery disease can be detected using a CT coronary angiogram, which produces detailed 3D images of the coronary arteries to show any narrowing or plaque build-up. A coronary artery calcium score measures the amount of calcified plaque and helps predict future heart events. A stress echocardiogram can also detect reduced blood flow to the heart during exercise.

Yes. A CT coronary angiogram including calcium score can detect plaque build-up in the coronary arteries before any symptoms develop. This is particularly valuable for people with risk factors such as high cholesterol, high blood pressure, diabetes, smoking, or a family history of heart disease. At Complete Heart Centre, Dr Grewal holds Grade A accreditation in CT coronary angiography.

Ischaemic heart disease refers to any condition where the heart muscle does not receive enough blood (ischaemia), while coronary artery disease specifically refers to the narrowing or blockage of the coronary arteries by plaque. Coronary artery disease is the most common cause of ischaemic heart disease, but ischaemic heart disease is the broader term that also encompasses the consequences such as angina and heart attacks.

Ischaemic heart disease is the single leading cause of death in Australia. It is the most common form of heart disease and affects hundreds of thousands of Australians. Risk factors include high cholesterol, high blood pressure, diabetes, smoking, and family history. Early detection through tests such as a CT coronary angiogram and stress echocardiogram can help prevent serious events.

Yes. Atrial fibrillation increases the risk of stroke by approximately five times. When the atria beat irregularly, blood can pool and form clots, which may travel to the brain and cause a stroke. A cardiologist will assess your individual stroke risk and determine whether blood-thinning medication is needed to reduce this risk.

Intermittent (paroxysmal) atrial fibrillation can be detected using a 24 Hour Holter Monitor, which records every heartbeat over a full day during your normal activities. This captures episodes that may not be present during a brief clinic visit. The Holter monitor is fully bulk billed at Complete Heart Centre.

Heart valve disease is diagnosed primarily with an echocardiogram (heart ultrasound), which provides detailed images of all four heart valves in real time. It shows the structure, movement, and blood flow patterns through each valve, and can determine whether a valve is narrowed (stenosis), leaking (regurgitation), or functioning normally. At Complete Heart Centre, echocardiograms are fully bulk billed through Medicare.

Aortic stenosis is a narrowing of the aortic valve, which controls blood flow from the heart to the body. It is the most common valve condition in older adults and can cause shortness of breath, chest pain, dizziness, or fainting. An echocardiogram is the definitive test for diagnosing and monitoring aortic stenosis severity.

Some forms of cardiomyopathy are inherited, most notably hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), which is the most common inherited heart condition. If a first-degree relative has been diagnosed with cardiomyopathy, family screening with an echocardiogram is recommended. Other forms of cardiomyopathy can be caused by high blood pressure, viral infections, or coronary artery disease.

Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) occurs when the heart chambers enlarge and the heart muscle weakens, reducing pumping ability. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) occurs when the heart muscle becomes abnormally thick, which can obstruct blood flow and cause arrhythmias. Both can be diagnosed with an echocardiogram, which shows the size, thickness, and function of the heart muscle.

Yes. Shortness of breath is one of the most common symptoms of heart conditions including heart failure, valve disease, coronary artery disease, and cardiomyopathy. Breathlessness that occurs when lying flat or that wakes you at night is particularly suggestive of a cardiac cause. An echocardiogram can quickly assess whether your heart is the cause.

Cardiac breathlessness is caused by the heart not pumping effectively, leading to fluid build-up in the lungs. It is often worse when lying flat and may be accompanied by swollen legs. Respiratory breathlessness is caused by lung conditions such as asthma or COPD. A cardiologist can use an echocardiogram to determine whether your breathlessness has a cardiac cause.

Fainting during exercise, while seated, or without any warning signs is considered high-risk and may indicate a cardiac cause such as an arrhythmia, aortic stenosis, or cardiomyopathy. If you experience recurrent fainting, blackouts, or fainting during physical activity, a cardiologist should assess whether a heart condition is responsible.

A 24 Hour Holter Monitor records your heart rhythm over a full day to detect arrhythmias that may cause fainting. An echocardiogram can identify structural heart problems such as valve disease or cardiomyopathy. Together, these tests can determine whether your fainting has a cardiac cause. Both tests are fully bulk billed at Complete Heart Centre.

Many heart murmurs are innocent (harmless) and do not indicate any heart problem. However, some murmurs are caused by underlying valve disease or structural abnormalities that may require treatment. An echocardiogram is the only way to definitively determine whether a murmur is innocent or pathological.

Yes. An echocardiogram is recommended for any heart murmur detected in an adult to determine its cause. It provides detailed images of all four heart valves and can distinguish between a harmless (innocent) murmur and one caused by valve disease. At Complete Heart Centre, echocardiograms are fully bulk billed through Medicare.

If your cholesterol is elevated and you have other risk factors — such as high blood pressure, diabetes, smoking, or a family history of heart disease — a cardiologist can provide a comprehensive cardiovascular risk assessment. A CT coronary angiogram including calcium score can directly visualise your coronary arteries and quantify your risk. This is particularly valuable if you want to know the actual condition of your arteries rather than relying on calculated risk scores alone.

A coronary artery calcium score (CACS) is a number that measures the amount of calcified plaque in your coronary arteries. A score of zero means no detectable calcified plaque, which is associated with a very low risk of heart events. Higher scores indicate increasing amounts of plaque and higher risk. Dr Grewal holds Grade A accreditation in CT coronary angiography and can interpret your results and advise on treatment.