The Albanese Government has announced an additional three years of funding to support free heart health checks for Australians aged 30 and over, in a continued effort to combat heart disease—the nation’s leading cause of death.
This funding extension will allow general practitioners (GPs) to continue offering heart health assessments at no cost, helping detect cardiovascular risk factors before symptoms appear. Every day, 438 Australians are admitted to hospital due to coronary heart disease. The condition accounts for nearly one in ten deaths and represents 6% of the total national disease burden.
Since the introduction of the Heart Health Check program in 2019, over 870,000 Australians have participated, with more than 200,000 expected to be screened in 2024 alone. The initiative targets adults aged 30 and above, as many are unaware they are at risk. Risk factors such as high blood pressure and elevated cholesterol levels often go undiagnosed without medical evaluation.
The heart health check, conducted by a GP in less than 30 minutes, is considered one of the most effective tools for early detection and prevention of heart attacks and strokes in Australia. Through this check-up, doctors can identify previously undiagnosed risks and provide patients with tailored advice on lifestyle changes or prescribe medication to manage those risks.
Health Minister Mark Butler emphasized the urgency of this initiative:
“Heart disease is Australia’s number one killer—every four minutes, someone is admitted to hospital due to a heart attack or stroke,” he said.
“An estimated 2.5 million Australians are at high risk of a heart attack or stroke within the next five years, yet many are unaware. That’s why the Albanese Government is committed to funding this vital health check.”
The extension of funding reinforces the government’s commitment to preventive healthcare and its goal of reducing the impact of heart disease across the country.
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