Heart Foundation's Heart Health Check pilot a resounding success

About 42,000 at-risk patients received the invitations as part of the Heart Foundation's Heart Health Check Recall pilot study, which led to a 14-fold increase in checks.

Its success has shown that a targeted screening program can be both effective and feasible in general practice.

"Just like Australia has dedicated screening programs for many cancers, we need to consider one for Australia's leading cause of death, heart disease," said Heart Foundation Healthcare Programs manager Natalie Raffoul.

"International cardiovascular disease and chronic disease screening programs have been rolled out in the UK and New Zealand, helping to boost early detection ... and help people better manage their risk factors.

"The time has come for Australia to reap the health and economic benefits of developing its own cardiovascular disease screening program."

Patients receiving the SMS were aged 45-74; not already living with cardiovascular disease; had not had a health assessment or Heart Health Check in the previous 12 months; had total cholesterol and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol recorded in the previous 12 months; and were active patients (at least three visits to the GP in the previous two years).

NSW general practitioner Dr Raya Grishina-Gunn said the pilot program allowed her to identify several high-risk patients.

"It was found that some patients needed stents to rectify blocked arteries, some patients who were found to be at high risk of having a heart attack or stroke in the next five years were prescribed medication, while I worked with others to help them make lifestyle changes to lower their risk and keep on top of their heart health," she said.

Dr Grishina-Gunn's phone lines were busy with people wanting to book a check after the messages went out.

One of those patients was grandmother of two Katrina Wilkes, a 59-year-old who has spent her adult life committed to keeping her heart healthy after she lost her father to a massive heart attack when he was 47.

After completing the 20-minute Medicare-subsidised Heart Health Check, Katrina was shocked to be told she had high cholesterol and high blood pressure, and both needed to be treated with medication.

"Dr Raya also referred me to a cardiologist, where I underwent an angiogram and coronary artery calcium scoring, and it was revealed I had calcification of the arteries," she said.

"I couldn't believe it. I had done sport all my life, I follow an excellent diet but I had serious and deadly heart issues, which could have led me to suffering a heart attack."

The 20-minute check-up is for people aged 45-plus, or 30-plus for First Nations people.

During the check-up, a GP checks the patient's blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar and asks key questions about nutrition, exercise, medical and family history. All these factors allow the GP to use a risk prediction equation to accurately assess the patient's risk of having a heart attack or stroke in the next five years.

Using the Heart Foundation's Heart Health Check toolkit, the GP can then develop a preventative action plan to help the patient take the necessary action to reduce their risk.

Coronary heart disease is the leading cause of death in Australia, responsible for more than 18,000 deaths.

Cardiovascular disease, including heart attacks, ischaemic strokes and peripheral vascular disease, is largely preventable, with modifiable risk factors accounting for up to 90 per cent of the risk of a heart attack.

Find out more about heart health HERE