Big increase in men getting heart health checks after ‘wake up call’ of Shane Warne’s death

On the eve of the one-year anniversary of Shane Warne’s death, health data shows a massive surge in Aussie men getting heart check-ups.

‘Spin King’ Shane Warne inspired in life, and now in death.

New data shows that since the cricketing great’s death from suspected heart disease while holidaying in Thailand almost a year ago, there has been a 25 per cent increase in Australians getting heart checks.

The director of Monash Health’s new Victorian Heart Hospital Stephen Nicholls said Warne’s tragic death on 4 March, and the deaths the same month of Senator Kimberley Kitching and cricket legend Rod Marsh, were a “wakeup call” for thousands of people who may otherwise not have had a check-up.

“We’ve seen a wave of awareness for heart health, and each check is potentially a life saved,’’ Professor Nicholls said.

Shane Warne died from suspected heart disease in Thailand on March 4 last year. Picture: David Crosling.

“It is what we are wanting people to do. Heart Health Checks were introduced by the Federal Government a few years ago and until now the uptake has been a bit slow, yet heart disease is our number one killer.”

The internationally-renowned preventive cardiologist said the checks were free to people over the age of 45 and he urged Victorians to have them.

He said the deaths of high-profile Australians in the last year had helped to get people talking about heart disease.

“One of our concerns during Covid with people having a lot less access to healthcare services was that we were missing opportunities to give the kind of advice we should be giving to patients about their heart health,” Professor Nichols said.

The deaths of high-profile Australians has got people talking about heart disease. Picture: Getty

“The reality is there have not only been some high profile deaths, but high profile people having heart attacks, and it serves to remind the community about risks.

“Prevention is key and it is important for people to know their numbers: cholesterol, blood sugar, blood pressure, how much you weigh and having a discussion with your GP about your heart health and healthy lifestyle choices.”

Professor Nicholls said while there had been an increase in Heart Health Checks by men since the death of Shane Warne, women also needed to be checked.

“It widens the gap between men and women, but we know women are more likely to die of a heart attack than anything else so I urge them to also get a check,” he said.

“In many cases, men tell us they came to get their heart checked because their partners were worried about their health. It’s really important that women also look after themselves and get checked so we can address any issues early and prevent avoidable heart disease.”

The Victorian Heart Hospital, Australia’s first dedicated heart hospital, saw its first patient on Thursday.