- Former NRL player and heart attack survivor Sam Backo has joined Queensland’s Minister for Health, Cairns Senator Nita Green, and the Heart Foundation to spread awareness on the importance of Heart Health Checks
- Since April 2019, more than 110,505 heart health checks have been delivered across Queensland
- Only 30 per cent of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are getting their annual heart health checks
Former NRL player and heart attack survivor, Sam Backo, has joined the Health Minister and Cairns Senator Nita Green to encourage Queenslanders to book in their free Heart Health Check.
More than 4000 Queenslanders died from coronary heart disease in 2022, the third highest rate of heart disease deaths in the country, behind Tasmania and the Northern Territory.
Since the Heart Health Check initiative was introduced nationally in 2019, more than 119,000 services have been delivered across the state.
Heart disease is responsible for almost 1 in 10 deaths and for 6 per cent of Australia’s total disease burden.
Many Australians don’t know they are at risk of heart disease, as some factors – such as high blood pressure or high cholesterol – might not be noticeable without a medical assessment.
An assessment of a patient’s heart health with a general practitioner (GP) will help to identify the risk of heart attack or stroke in those patients who haven’t previously been diagnosed with heart disease.
The check takes less than 30 minutes with a GP and is the nation’s best tool for preventing heart disease.
GPs can then work with their patients to make changes to their lifestyle or prescribe medicines to lower any identified risk of heart disease.
In the 2023-24 Budget, the Albanese Government extended the Medicare rebate (items 177 and 699) for heart health assessment until 30 June 2025.
Quotes attributable to the Minister for Health, Mental Health, Ambulance Services Shannon Fentiman:
“With thousands of Queensland families affected by heart disease, we need to be doing everything we can to ensure we’re all receiving a Heart Health Check.
“It’s a lot easier to prevent heart conditions than it is to treat them, so I encourage all eligible Queenslanders to seek a Heart Health Check as soon as they can.
“I want to say a huge thank you to Sam Backo for his incredible advocacy on this important issue, his relentless campaigning is why we’re here together.
“Today is a great example of how multiple levels of government, together with passionate advocacy can shine important spotlights on health issues as we work to Close the Gap.”
Quotes attributable to Senator Nita Green:
“Talking to your GP and having a Heart Health Check saves lives and can help prevent or catch heart disease early so that patients and doctors can take action to reduce the risk before it’s too late.
“Heart disease is Australia’s biggest killer, so raising awareness for these Checks is crucial, and it is why the Albanese Labor Government has extended the Medicare rebate for heart health assessments.
“I implore all Queenslanders to get in for a Heart Health Check with their GP as soon as they’re eligible, and to get them regularly – because these simple checks can save lives.”
Quotes attributable to Member for Cook Cynthia Lui:
“It’s great to see both the Palaszczuk and Albanese Governments working together to shine a spotlight on the importance of heart health checks, especially for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
“By talking about this issue and creating awareness, we can drive up the uptake of free Heart Health Checks and improve health outcomes.”
Quotes attributable to Heart Foundation General Manager for Queensland Sheree Hughes:
“Heart disease is the leading cause of death in Australia, responsible for 1 in 4 deaths and killing one person every 12 minutes.
“Of the almost 18,000 heart disease-related deaths each year in Australia, about 80% are preventable. But, tragically, the first warning sign of heart disease is often a heart attack, making early detection essential.
“The Heart Foundation is encouraging people to visit their GP for a Medicare funded heart health check to find out their level of risk and to understand what they can do to reduce it.”
Quotes attributable to former Queensland NRL player and heart attack survivor Sam Backo:
“In April I had my own heart attack, and this year ten of my friends have lost their lives to them and that’s why it is so important to get your free Heart Health Check.
“I’d like to thank Minister Fentiman for being in Cairns to help shine a light on this important issue.”
