Latest news with #VictorianHeartInstitute
The Advertiser
15 hours ago
- Health
- The Advertiser
Shane Warne heart tests bowl up 'bittersweet' results
Shane Warne was a master at putting rival batsmen under the pump and Australians' hearts are facing similar strain. The late king-of-spin died, aged 52, in March 2022 after suffering a heart attack while on holiday on the Thai island of Koh Samui. The cause of his sudden death lead to Shane Warne Legacy setting up medical grade heart health check-up machines at the MCG during the past two Boxing Day Tests. The results of the debut stadium initiative, in concert with 311 community pharmacy stations, were analysed as part of a Monash University-led study. A total of 76,085 people were screened across seven weeks from mid-December 2023 to the end of January 2024, including 7740 at the MCG. The research, published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology on Friday, showed almost seven out of 10 (68.9 per cent) had at least one uncontrolled risk factor for heart disease. Factors were elevated blood pressure readings (37.2 per cent), elevated body mass index (60.5 per cent) and being a smoker (12.1 per cent). Cricket spectators who did the free checks, mostly men aged 35 to 64, had higher rates of elevated blood pressure and body mass index than those screened at pharmacies. Of those with high blood pressure, more than seven out of 10 were not taking anti-hypertensive medications and just a tick under half hadn't had a check in the past year. Participants at rural pharmacies were more likely to report diabetes and have higher rates of all risk factors compared to those screened in urban areas. The study showed large-scale community screening was effective and powerful, its lead author Sean Tan said. "Meeting people where they are, whether that's at their local pharmacy or the MCG, can make all the difference to health outcomes," said Dr Tan, a cardiologist and researcher at the Victorian Heart Institute. Warne's long-time personal assistant Helen Nolan said the findings reinforced Shane Warne Legacy's mission to turn his untimely death into a catalyst for change. The charity's chief executive described the results as "bittersweet". "We're proud to have helped thousands take their heart health seriously but we know there's still work to do," Ms Nolan said. "Shane would have wanted this to make a difference." Heart disease is one of the leading causes of death and impacts one in six Australians. Many of the risk factors are preventable or manageable through lifestyle changes and medication. The results should prompt national conversations about how and where Australia delivers preventative health care, Victorian Heart Hospital and Victorian Heart Institute director Stephen Nicholls said. "Shane Warne's legacy isn't just about cricket, it's now about changing the heart health of a nation," Professor Nicholls said. "We owe it to Australians to make health checks more accessible, more visible, and more frequent." Shane Warne was a master at putting rival batsmen under the pump and Australians' hearts are facing similar strain. The late king-of-spin died, aged 52, in March 2022 after suffering a heart attack while on holiday on the Thai island of Koh Samui. The cause of his sudden death lead to Shane Warne Legacy setting up medical grade heart health check-up machines at the MCG during the past two Boxing Day Tests. The results of the debut stadium initiative, in concert with 311 community pharmacy stations, were analysed as part of a Monash University-led study. A total of 76,085 people were screened across seven weeks from mid-December 2023 to the end of January 2024, including 7740 at the MCG. The research, published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology on Friday, showed almost seven out of 10 (68.9 per cent) had at least one uncontrolled risk factor for heart disease. Factors were elevated blood pressure readings (37.2 per cent), elevated body mass index (60.5 per cent) and being a smoker (12.1 per cent). Cricket spectators who did the free checks, mostly men aged 35 to 64, had higher rates of elevated blood pressure and body mass index than those screened at pharmacies. Of those with high blood pressure, more than seven out of 10 were not taking anti-hypertensive medications and just a tick under half hadn't had a check in the past year. Participants at rural pharmacies were more likely to report diabetes and have higher rates of all risk factors compared to those screened in urban areas. The study showed large-scale community screening was effective and powerful, its lead author Sean Tan said. "Meeting people where they are, whether that's at their local pharmacy or the MCG, can make all the difference to health outcomes," said Dr Tan, a cardiologist and researcher at the Victorian Heart Institute. Warne's long-time personal assistant Helen Nolan said the findings reinforced Shane Warne Legacy's mission to turn his untimely death into a catalyst for change. The charity's chief executive described the results as "bittersweet". "We're proud to have helped thousands take their heart health seriously but we know there's still work to do," Ms Nolan said. "Shane would have wanted this to make a difference." Heart disease is one of the leading causes of death and impacts one in six Australians. Many of the risk factors are preventable or manageable through lifestyle changes and medication. The results should prompt national conversations about how and where Australia delivers preventative health care, Victorian Heart Hospital and Victorian Heart Institute director Stephen Nicholls said. "Shane Warne's legacy isn't just about cricket, it's now about changing the heart health of a nation," Professor Nicholls said. "We owe it to Australians to make health checks more accessible, more visible, and more frequent." Shane Warne was a master at putting rival batsmen under the pump and Australians' hearts are facing similar strain. The late king-of-spin died, aged 52, in March 2022 after suffering a heart attack while on holiday on the Thai island of Koh Samui. The cause of his sudden death lead to Shane Warne Legacy setting up medical grade heart health check-up machines at the MCG during the past two Boxing Day Tests. The results of the debut stadium initiative, in concert with 311 community pharmacy stations, were analysed as part of a Monash University-led study. A total of 76,085 people were screened across seven weeks from mid-December 2023 to the end of January 2024, including 7740 at the MCG. The research, published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology on Friday, showed almost seven out of 10 (68.9 per cent) had at least one uncontrolled risk factor for heart disease. Factors were elevated blood pressure readings (37.2 per cent), elevated body mass index (60.5 per cent) and being a smoker (12.1 per cent). Cricket spectators who did the free checks, mostly men aged 35 to 64, had higher rates of elevated blood pressure and body mass index than those screened at pharmacies. Of those with high blood pressure, more than seven out of 10 were not taking anti-hypertensive medications and just a tick under half hadn't had a check in the past year. Participants at rural pharmacies were more likely to report diabetes and have higher rates of all risk factors compared to those screened in urban areas. The study showed large-scale community screening was effective and powerful, its lead author Sean Tan said. "Meeting people where they are, whether that's at their local pharmacy or the MCG, can make all the difference to health outcomes," said Dr Tan, a cardiologist and researcher at the Victorian Heart Institute. Warne's long-time personal assistant Helen Nolan said the findings reinforced Shane Warne Legacy's mission to turn his untimely death into a catalyst for change. The charity's chief executive described the results as "bittersweet". "We're proud to have helped thousands take their heart health seriously but we know there's still work to do," Ms Nolan said. "Shane would have wanted this to make a difference." Heart disease is one of the leading causes of death and impacts one in six Australians. Many of the risk factors are preventable or manageable through lifestyle changes and medication. The results should prompt national conversations about how and where Australia delivers preventative health care, Victorian Heart Hospital and Victorian Heart Institute director Stephen Nicholls said. "Shane Warne's legacy isn't just about cricket, it's now about changing the heart health of a nation," Professor Nicholls said. "We owe it to Australians to make health checks more accessible, more visible, and more frequent."
West Australian
17 hours ago
- Health
- West Australian
Shane Warne heart tests bowl up 'bittersweet' results
Shane Warne was a master at putting rival batsmen under the pump and Australians' hearts are facing similar strain. The late king-of-spin died, aged 52, in March 2022 after suffering a heart attack while on holiday on the Thai island of Koh Samui. The cause of his sudden death lead to Shane Warne Legacy setting up medical grade heart health check-up machines at the MCG during the past two Boxing Day Tests. The results of the debut stadium initiative, in concert with 311 community pharmacy stations, were analysed as part of a Monash University-led study. A total of 76,085 people were screened across seven weeks from mid-December 2023 to the end of January 2024, including 7740 at the MCG. The research, published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology on Friday, showed almost seven out of 10 (68.9 per cent) had at least one uncontrolled risk factor for heart disease. Factors were elevated blood pressure readings (37.2 per cent), elevated body mass index (60.5 per cent) and being a smoker (12.1 per cent). Cricket spectators who did the free checks, mostly men aged 35 to 64, had higher rates of elevated blood pressure and body mass index than those screened at pharmacies. Of those with high blood pressure, more than seven out of 10 were not taking anti-hypertensive medications and just a tick under half hadn't had a check in the past year. Participants at rural pharmacies were more likely to report diabetes and have higher rates of all risk factors compared to those screened in urban areas. The study showed large-scale community screening was effective and powerful, its lead author Sean Tan said. "Meeting people where they are, whether that's at their local pharmacy or the MCG, can make all the difference to health outcomes," said Dr Tan, a cardiologist and researcher at the Victorian Heart Institute. Warne's long-time personal assistant Helen Nolan said the findings reinforced Shane Warne Legacy's mission to turn his untimely death into a catalyst for change. The charity's chief executive described the results as "bittersweet". "We're proud to have helped thousands take their heart health seriously but we know there's still work to do," Ms Nolan said. "Shane would have wanted this to make a difference." Heart disease is one of the leading causes of death and impacts one in six Australians. Many of the risk factors are preventable or manageable through lifestyle changes and medication. The results should prompt national conversations about how and where Australia delivers preventative health care, Victorian Heart Hospital and Victorian Heart Institute director Stephen Nicholls said. "Shane Warne's legacy isn't just about cricket, it's now about changing the heart health of a nation," Professor Nicholls said. "We owe it to Australians to make health checks more accessible, more visible, and more frequent."
Perth Now
17 hours ago
- Health
- Perth Now
Shane Warne heart tests bowl up 'bittersweet' results
Shane Warne was a master at putting rival batsmen under the pump and Australians' hearts are facing similar strain. The late king-of-spin died, aged 52, in March 2022 after suffering a heart attack while on holiday on the Thai island of Koh Samui. The cause of his sudden death lead to Shane Warne Legacy setting up medical grade heart health check-up machines at the MCG during the past two Boxing Day Tests. The results of the debut stadium initiative, in concert with 311 community pharmacy stations, were analysed as part of a Monash University-led study. A total of 76,085 people were screened across seven weeks from mid-December 2023 to the end of January 2024, including 7740 at the MCG. The research, published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology on Friday, showed almost seven out of 10 (68.9 per cent) had at least one uncontrolled risk factor for heart disease. Factors were elevated blood pressure readings (37.2 per cent), elevated body mass index (60.5 per cent) and being a smoker (12.1 per cent). Cricket spectators who did the free checks, mostly men aged 35 to 64, had higher rates of elevated blood pressure and body mass index than those screened at pharmacies. Of those with high blood pressure, more than seven out of 10 were not taking anti-hypertensive medications and just a tick under half hadn't had a check in the past year. Participants at rural pharmacies were more likely to report diabetes and have higher rates of all risk factors compared to those screened in urban areas. The study showed large-scale community screening was effective and powerful, its lead author Sean Tan said. "Meeting people where they are, whether that's at their local pharmacy or the MCG, can make all the difference to health outcomes," said Dr Tan, a cardiologist and researcher at the Victorian Heart Institute. Warne's long-time personal assistant Helen Nolan said the findings reinforced Shane Warne Legacy's mission to turn his untimely death into a catalyst for change. The charity's chief executive described the results as "bittersweet". "We're proud to have helped thousands take their heart health seriously but we know there's still work to do," Ms Nolan said. "Shane would have wanted this to make a difference." Heart disease is one of the leading causes of death and impacts one in six Australians. Many of the risk factors are preventable or manageable through lifestyle changes and medication. The results should prompt national conversations about how and where Australia delivers preventative health care, Victorian Heart Hospital and Victorian Heart Institute director Stephen Nicholls said. "Shane Warne's legacy isn't just about cricket, it's now about changing the heart health of a nation," Professor Nicholls said. "We owe it to Australians to make health checks more accessible, more visible, and more frequent."
Fox News
15-06-2025
- Health
- Fox News
Experimental cholesterol pill cuts heart attack risk with 'convenient' once-daily dose
A new daily pill could provide an easier, more convenient way to lower cholesterol and reduce heart attack and stroke risk. The experimental medication, called Obicetrapib, underwent a Phase 3 clinical trial at Monash University in Australia. The trial included more than 2,500 people averaging 65 years of age. All had either been diagnosed with heart disease or had genetically high cholesterol, according to a university press release. All participants were receiving "maximum tolerated doses" of cholesterol-lowering therapy. One group received Obicetrapib and another group took a placebo, while still maintaining their existing cholesterol drugs. After 12 weeks, the participants taking the new drug showed a 32.6% reduction in LDL cholesterol and a 33.5% drop in lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)], the release stated. The findings were presented last month at the European Atherosclerosis Society Congress in the U.K. and were also published in The New England Journal of Medicine. "We know that many people at high risk of heart attack or stroke don't get their cholesterol levels low enough, even on the best available treatments," said study lead Professor Stephen Nicholls, director of Monash University's Victorian Heart Institute and Monash Health's Victorian Heart Hospital, in the release. "We know that many people at high risk of heart attack or stroke don't get their cholesterol levels low enough, even on the best available treatments." "Obicetrapib offers a promising new option — not only did it lower LDL cholesterol by over 30%, but we also saw a reduction in Lp(a), which is much harder to treat and has been linked to increased heart disease risk." Low-density lipoprotein (LDL), which is sometimes called "bad cholesterol," is associated with negative health effects when present in high amounts. LDL can build up in the blood vessels and increase heart attack and stroke risk, the researchers cautioned. Lipoprotein(a), or Lp(a), is a protein that is known to greatly increase the chances of a heart attack when it's present in high levels in the blood. Unlike LDL, Lp(a) is an inherited risk factor that can't be modified with healthy behaviors or medications. Obicetrapib was found to be "well-tolerated" by the participants, the researchers noted. "This could be a valuable tool in the fight against heart disease," Nicholls added. "It's convenient, it's effective, and it may help close the gap for patients who've run out of options." The study — which was funded by NewAmsterdam Pharma, a developer of Obicetrapib that is based in the Netherlands — did have some limitations, the researchers noted. For example, the participants were not chosen based on high Lp(a), which means the study did not determine how the drug impacted those with elevated levels of the protein. Additionally, the study assessed changes in LDL levels, but did not measure actual heart attack or stroke outcomes. For more Health articles, visit More studies are needed to follow patients for longer time periods and to include more diverse cohorts, the researchers acknowledged. Fox News Digital reached out to the researchers for additional comment.
India.com
12-05-2025
- Health
- India.com
New Cholesterol-Lowering Pill Shows Promise In Cutting Heart Attack And Stroke Risk
New Delhi: An international team of researchers found that a cholesterol-lowering drug may offer a more effective and convenient way to protect people at high risk of heart attack and stroke. The study led by researchers at Monash University in Australia tested a once-daily oral medication called Obicetrapib and found it significantly lowered both LDL or bad cholesterol and lipoprotein(a), [Lp(a)] -- two key contributors to cardiovascular disease. The findings marked an important step forward for patients who have struggled to reach their cholesterol targets with current therapies, said study lead Professor Stephen Nicholls, Director of Monash University's Victorian Heart Institute. "We know that many people at high risk of heart attack or stroke don't get their cholesterol levels low enough, even on the best available treatments," Nicholls said. "Obicetrapib offers a promising new option-not only did it lower LDL cholesterol by over 30 per cent, but we also saw a reduction in Lp(a), which is much harder to treat and has been linked to increased heart disease risk," he added. LDL cholesterol, often referred to as "bad cholesterol," builds up in blood vessels and increases the risk of heart attack and stroke. Lipoprotein(a), or Lp(a), is a lesser-known but inherited risk factor that can also accelerate artery damage -- and unlike LDL, there are currently no widely approved treatments to lower it. The trial, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, included more than 2,500 participants with established heart disease or genetic high cholesterol who were given either Obicetrapib or a placebo, in addition to their regular cholesterol medications. After 12 weeks, those on Obicetrapib had dropped their LDL cholesterol by 32.6 per cent and Lp(a) by 33.5 per cent on average -- many achieved guideline-recommended targets for the first time. Obicetrapib was also well tolerated, with a safety profile similar to earlier trials. "This could be a valuable tool in the fight against heart disease," Professor Nicholls said. "It's convenient, it's effective, and it may help close the gap for patients who've run out of options."
