Heart health screening a success

By Djembe Archibald

Aug 1, 2023

Heart to heart: Pharmacist Jess Burrows, Kylie Hovey of Latrobe Health Services, Ayla Gray of Wesfarmers Health and Jeff Speirs of Latrobe Health Services. Photo by Contributed

Coronary heart disease remains the dominant cause of death among Australians, but one not-for-profit is here to help.

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Private health insurer Latrobe Health Services partnered with Wesfarmers Health, Priceline Pharmacy, SiSU Health and Novartis to bring free 15-minute heart health checks to Shepparton Marketplace last month.

A trained clinician facilitated 120 15-minute tests to check key heart health indicators, including blood pressure, heart rate, body composition, diabetes risk and non-fasting cholesterol levels.

Latrobe Health Services chief executive Ian Whitehead said research had shown that regional communities had some of the poorest cardiovascular health outcomes in Australia.

“We’ve now conducted more than 1100 heart health checks across regional Victoria,” Mr Whitehead said.

“We’re finding that they are extremely popular. The community loves the convenience of having these checks at events and shopping centres.”

SiSU Health has reported that 34 per cent of participants have recorded high blood pressure, triggering 377 patients to be referred to their GP for a follow-up appointment.

“It is important to get heart health check-ups to give you the best chance of receiving the right treatment and possibly diagnosing underlying medical conditions,” Priceline chief pharmacist Amy Sabatini said.

For more information about the free heart health checks, visit latrobehealth.com.au/healthyhearts