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The impact of heart disease has been felt by major policy makers who support a national screening program today.
Opposition Leader Bill Shorten's father had a fatal heart attack; the brother of her health spokeswoman, Catherine King, is currently recovering from a heart attack; and Health Minister Greg Hunt's uncle was also struck by the disease.
MORE: A new health check could save your life
MORE: The majority of Australians at risk of heart attack
Ms. King – whose father needed a triple bypass at age 59 – says she recently completed the Heart Foundation calculator and discovered that her age was slightly older than her current age .
"You do not think that will happen to you, but when you see the statistics, you see how many people are affected by heart disease," she said. "Heart health is one of the most underfunded areas, we must fund prevention."
His brother Michael, a 62-year-old former physical education teacher, suffered a heart attack thirty days ago. After leaving teaching to become a consultant, he told News Corp that he had gained weight and that he was being treated for high cholesterol while still walking between 10,000. and 15,000 steps a day.
Late last month, he was in his Melbourne office examining a report when he felt intense pain in his chest, began to sweat and felt his arm become painful.
Trained in first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation, he recognized the symptoms of a heart attack and went straight to the general practice clinic where he immediately treated him. machine.
An ambulance arrived a few minutes later and shortly thereafter he was in the catheterization laboratory of Alfred Hospital where they discovered that his immediate treatment had eliminated the blockage and that it was not necessary. did not need surgery.
"Now I know the mistake of my behavior," said Mr. King, who lost 10 pounds in 28 days, reduced his food portions and increased his exercise program.
Mr. Hunt revealed this week that his energetic and fit Uncle David had suffered a serious heart attack 20 years ago.
"My uncle David, a very fit and energetic man in his early sixties, while he thought himself extremely fit, had a major heart attack," said Hunt.
"He has survived thanks to the wonderful skill of our doctors and nurses and is, in many ways, a leading child … for secondary care after a heart attack," said the minister.
Hunt said his uncle changed his lifestyle to "stop aging". He is now walking, doing strength exercises and following the advice of his cardiologist.
As the leading cause of death in Australia, heart disease is a "major national challenge," Hunt said.
NOTICE: Cardiovascular health in New Zealand, a good lesson for Australia
In this political climate, it is rare for the parties to agree on anything – the decision of the two main political parties to support the financing of a health plan by Medicare for a balance sheet. Health is therefore an essential first step to combat heart disease, the leading cause of death in Australia.
We now need to make sure that doctors do these checks and that people are encouraged to ask for them.
New Zealand introduced a cardiac checkup in 2012, and in 2016, nine out of ten eligible people were screened.
Indeed, general practitioners received a payment from the government when they reached the 90% coverage goal.
Health Minister Greg Hunt said the government's Medicare Benefit Planning Task Force will continue to refine the new issue of the Medicare section of the Heart Health Check.
Having a Medicare article number dedicated to a cardiac checkup will help control the number of Australians who have seen their ticker scroll under the microscope.
As in New Zealand, we should aim for 90% of people at risk to complete the test.
Our YouGov Galaxy survey found that just one in five had already discussed the risk of heart disease with their doctor – it's not enough if it's our number one cause of death.
Identifying people at risk and preventing them from having a heart attack is crucial, but there is still much to be done.
We also need to improve funding for rehabilitation care after a heart attack. More than 500,000 hospitalizations each year are for people with a second heart attack.
Better access to cardiac rehabilitation care would help stop it and we need funding to develop new medical guidelines, diet, exercise and tobacco control.
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