LOCALS are one finger-prick away from being empowered with knowledge about their heart health, as Priceline Pharmacy in Swan Hill has been selected as one of five pharmacies in Australia to provide free screenings and consultation for cardiovascular risk until June 13.
The pharmacy has been provided with a finger-prick blood-test machine on behalf of the Shane Warne Legacy, as well as a permanent SiSU Health station to assess factors that make up heart health.
Priceline pharmacist Taylor Cameron said the SiSU Health Station in the Priceline store was an internet-enabled medical device that could monitor blood pressure, body fat percentage, weight and BMI, teh data from which could all be saved on the patient’s mobile phone.
“They can just sit on that machine while they’re waiting for a script,” Mr Cameron said.
It’s been years since “semi-retired farmer” Colin McKenzie made a doctor’s appointment, but after finding out about the Shane Warne Legacy Screen Test he decided to visit the pharmacy for a free check-up.
“It’s something I would not normally think of getting done – I think I’m reasonably healthy and it never occurred to me that I should see someone,” Mr McKenzie said.
“It’s also very hard to see a doctor here.
“I’ve heard that you could have to wait for weeks to see one here.”
Mr Cameron said he had been spreading the word about the free tests at local football clubs to target older men who were more likely to neglect their health and be at risk of cardiovascular diseases which could result in heart attacks and strokes.
“For the tests, we want that stubborn farmer or someone who’s never had a cholesterol test to come in and we can go from there,” Mr Cameron said.
“They’re either busy with work or they’ve got kids and are thinking about them more than themselves and can’t find time to get some exercise because they’re so busy at the farm.
“They’re also more likely to drink and smoke, which can increase health risks.”
He added that there were some men who avoided check-ups because they feared knowing about the state of their health.
”It’s about ripping off that Band-Aid and acknowledging where your health is at – that’s what we can do here with our free consultations,” he said.
With limited options for healthcare in the area, Mr Cameron said he was glad Swan Hill Priceline was selected to be part of the Shane Warne Legacy Screen Test.
“You can’t have cardiologists and specialists everywhere so something like this can offer a solution and reduce GP visits, as the wait times are really long here.”
