1.4 million Australians have a high chance of having a heart attack or stroke in the next five years, with many unaware of their risk.

Regular heart health checks with your GP can help you understand your risk of a heart attack or stroke.

There are many ways to reduce your chances of a heart attack or stroke, and your local GP can provide you with the best advice.

Federal Member for Robertson, Dr Gordon Reid MP, is encouraging people living on the Central Coast to be mindful of heart health to avoid heart attacks or strokes.

“Coronary artery disease is one of the underlying causes of heart disease, which is Australia’s number one cause of death”, Dr Reid said.

“Coronary artery disease is caused when the arteries leading to the heart become hardened or narrow”.

“To make sure you’re not at risk of suffering a heart attack or stroke, a simple visit to your local GP for a twenty-minute heart health check will give you a better understanding”, Dr Reid said.

“It is also important to be aware of the modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors that lead to heart disease, including your diet, exercise, whether you smoke or how frequently you drink alcohol, your weight, and family medical history”.

“Once you have completed a heart health check, your GP will discuss a plan to manage factors that might lead to heart disease”, Dr Reid said.

“If you are aged 45 and over, or 30 and over, if you are of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander background, you are encouraged to book a heart health check today”.

Dr Reid supported the HeartScreen Australia pop-up stall in Erina Fair, which provided free heart health checks on Thursday June 29.

To learn more about heart health checks, visit: https://www.heartfoundation.org.au/heart-health-education/heart-health-checks

To book a heart health check, contact your local GP to make an appointment.

ENDS