Australia’s largest not-for-profit health fund, HCF, has partnered with The Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute to offer free heart health checks for local members with extras at HCF on the sunshine coast in Queensland.
The Victor Chang Health Check Booth operated earlier this week at HCF in Maroochydore, offering three quick health tests — blood pressure, cholesterol and blood glucose.
The branch opened earlier this year as part of HCF's expansion across Queensland.
The partnership between HCF and Victor Chang is now in its fifth year, continuing to test members for risk factors that could affect their heart health. To date, Victor Chang has tested 55,000 Australians through the heart check booths across the country.
Last year, on average, almost half (47 per cent) of HCF members tested across the country did not know their blood pressure, with 1 in 10 people presenting at the Health Check Booth with high blood pressure.
A further 3 in 10 people (31 per cent) had high cholesterol, and a third of those tested (32 per cent) were advised to visit their GP for follow-up.
According to HCF Maroochydore Branch Manager, Vanessa Lyons, “We’re excited to welcome the Victor Chang Health Check Booth to HCF Maroochydore. The local kiosk has been well received since we opened in Maroochydore at the beginning of the year. It has been fantastic to have that physical presence and engage face to face with our local members and the broader community.
“The Health Check Booth is another way in which HCF is putting locals’ health first. The three simple tests are indicators of the risk factors that can affect a person’s heart health. Those tested will receive their blood pressure, cholesterol and blood glucose test results on the spot, and those with elevated levels will be recommended to visit their GP.”