The Victorian Heart Hospital is Australia’s first dedicated cardiac hospital and home to Australia’s only cardiac-specific emergency department, providing specialised assessment and treatment for patients with known or suspected heart conditions.
Located in Clayton, the Victorian Heart Hospital brings together emergency cardiac care, cardiology, cardiac imaging, catheterisation laboratories, cardiac theatres, intensive care, research and education under one roof. This integrated model allows patients to be assessed and treated by expert cardiac teams with access to specialised diagnostics and interventions that may not be available in a general emergency department.
The hospital’s Cardiac Emergency operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week and is designed specifically for people experiencing cardiac symptoms. Patients commonly present with chest pain, palpitations, worsening heart failure, concerning ECG findings, pacemaker or device issues, or complications related to a recent cardiac procedure or admission.
Since opening in 2023, Cardiac Emergency has provided specialised care for thousands of patients, with chest pain and arrhythmias among the most common reasons for presentation.
A reminder for GPs
If you suspect a patient’s symptoms are cardiac in nature, please refer them to the Victorian Heart Hospital Cardiac Emergency rather than a standard emergency department, whenever clinically appropriate. This includes patients presenting with:
- Chest pain
- Palpitations
- Concerning ECG changes
- Worsening heart failure
- Pacemaker or cardiac device concerns
- Issues related to a recent Victorian Heart Hospital admission or procedure
For urgent cardiac presentations requiring handover, GPs can contact the Victorian Heart Hospital Consultant in Charge on (03) 7511 2010.
For more information about Cardiac Emergency, referral pathways and available services, visit the Victorian Heart Hospital website.
For patients experiencing severe chest pain or other life-threatening symptoms, emergency care should be accessed immediately via Triple Zero (000).