A study led by Monash University analysed over 76,000 people in Australia, with the Shane Warne Legacy Health Check reaching 300 communities and conducting checks at the Boxing Day Test match in Melbourne late last year.

It found nearly 70 per cent of people screened had at least one uncontrolled risk factor for heart disease and half of those with high blood pressure hadn’t had a check in a year or more.

Risk factors for heart disease include elevated blood pressure, being overweight or obese and smoking.

Dr Sean Tan from Monash University said the study proved how important screening programs like this are in helping people treat problems early.

“They identified thousands of Australians at risk, many of whom hadn’t had a blood pressure check in the past year,” he said.

“Meeting people where they are, whether that’s at their local pharmacy or the MCG, can make all the difference to health outcomes.”

The study also found those living in rural areas tended to present higher rates of all risk factors, as well as being more likely to report diabetes than those in urban areas.

It highlights a need to make screening and testing more accessible to all areas of the country.

“This study shows us what’s possible when you combine evidence-based screening with strong public engagement,” Professor Stephen Nicholls from the Victorian Heart Institute said.

“We owe it to Australians to make health checks more accessible, more visible, and more frequent.”