Cardiovascular disease
The term cardiovascular disease (CVD) refers to diseases of the heart and blood vessels. It is the leading cause of death in Australia.
Cardiovascular health was endorsed as a National Health Priority Area at the Australian Health Ministers' Conference in 1996 due to the high prevalence of CVD in Australia and its impact on morbidity and mortality.
CVD includes conditions such as coronary heart disease, cerebrovascular disease (stroke), heart failure, rheumatic heart disease and hypertension (high blood pressure).
CVD is the leading cause of death in Australia, and the second leading cause of disease burden1. In 2008, CVD was the underlying cause of 34% of all deaths in Australia (48,456 deaths2) and it is estimated that around 800,000 people with CVD experience disability leading to mild-to-profound restriction on activities3.
Death rates from CVD have fallen significantly over the past forty years and are now approximately 4 times lower than peak levels recorded in 19684. This has been attributed to advances in CVD research, detection, prevention and management5.
Risk factors for CVD include smoking, physical inactivity, poor diet, risky alcohol consumption, high blood pressure and high blood cholesterol, obesity and diabetes. It is estimated that 92% of Australian adults have at least one risk factor for CVD and almost 40% have three or more CVD risk factors6.
For information on the signs and symptoms of CVD and advice about CVD management, please refer to the following websites:
Publications
1 Australian Institute of Health and Welfare 2010: Australia's health 2010, page 140.
2 Australian Bureau of Statistics 2010: Causes of death, Australia 2008.
3 Australian Institute of Health and Welfare 2010: Australia's health 2010, page 142.
4 Australian Institute of Health and Welfare 2009: Impact of cardiovascular disease death rates: deaths delayed and years of life extended.
5 Australian Institute of Health and Welfare 2009: Impact of cardiovascular disease death rates: deaths delayed and years of life extended.
6 Australian Institute of Health and Welfare 2005: Living dangerously: Australians with multiple risk factors for cardiovascular disease.
Page last reviewed: 31 March 2011
