Shane Warne Legacy Health Check finds nearly 70% of Australians at risk of heart disease
A national health screening campaign launched in memory of cricket legend Shane Warne has revealed a sobering truth: nearly 70 per cent of Australians screened are at risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD).
The Monash University-led study, published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology and presented at the Cardiac Society of Australia and New Zealand (CSANZ) Annual Scientific Meeting, analysed health data from more than 76,000 Australians who participated in the Shane Warne Legacy Health Check over a seven-week period.
The free checks were conducted across 300 community pharmacies nationwide (68,345 health checks) and at the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne (7,740 health checks).
Dr Sean Tan, cardiologist and researcher at the Victorian Heart Institute, said the study proved the power of large-scale, community-based health screening.
“They identified thousands of Australians at risk, many of whom hadn’t had a blood pressure check in the past year. Meeting people where they are, whether at their local pharmacy or the MCG, can make all the difference to health outcomes,” Dr Tan explained.
Key findings from the Shane Warne Legacy Health Check
- 68.9% of Australians screened had at least one uncontrolled risk factor for heart disease such as high blood pressure, obesity, or smoking.
- 37.2% of participants recorded blood pressure readings in the hypertensive range.
- Attendees at the Boxing Day Test (primarily men aged 35–64) had higher rates of elevated blood pressure and BMI compared to pharmacy participants.
- Half of all participants with high blood pressure had not had their levels checked in the past year.
- Rural participants reported higher rates of diabetes and were more likely to show multiple cardiovascular risk factors than those in urban areas.
Professor Stephen Nicholls, Director of the Victorian Heart Hospital and Victorian Heart Institute, said the results should spark serious national discussions about preventative healthcare delivery.
“This study shows us what’s possible when you combine evidence-based screening with strong public engagement. Shane Warne’s legacy isn’t just about cricket — it’s about changing the heart health of a nation,” he said.
Turning tragedy into action
The campaign was launched in 2022 after Shane Warne’s sudden death at age 52 from a heart attack shocked the sporting world. The Shane Warne Legacy now aims to transform that tragedy into a national movement for better cardiovascular awareness.
Helen Nolan, CEO of the Shane Warne Legacy, said the findings reinforce the importance of the mission.
“Shane was loved by Australians from all walks of life, and we knew we had a platform to do something meaningful. These results are bittersweet — we’re proud to have helped thousands take their heart health seriously, but we know there’s still much work to do. Shane would have wanted this to make a massive difference.”
Thanks to support from Latrobe Health Services (Founding Partner) and Diabetes Australia (Health Partner), the checks continue to be offered free to the public.
Cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of death worldwide, yet experts stress that many risk factors are preventable or manageable with timely diagnosis, lifestyle changes, and medication.
The Shane Warne Legacy team hopes the findings will pave the way for a nationwide rollout of accessible, community-based health screening programs, particularly in underserved areas.
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