Cardiovascular Disease Statistics

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the term used for heart, stroke and blood vessel diseases. CVD is the leading cause of death in Australia, accounting for 36 per cent of all deaths in Australia in 2004. It kills one Australian every ten minutes.

CVD is one of Australia's largest health problem. Despite improvements over the last few decades, the health and economic burden of CVD exceeds that of any other disease. 

Cardiovascular disease

Cardiovascular disease is:

  • Is heart, stroke and blood vessel disease.
  • Kills one Australian every ten minutes.
  • Affects more than 3.5 million Australians.
  • Prevents 1.4 million people from living a full life because of disability caused by the disease.
  • Was suffered by one in six Australians in 2004, and affected two out of three families.
  • Claimed the lives of almost 48,000 Australians (35 per cent of all deaths) in 2004 - deaths that are largely preventable.

For more interesting statistics please refer to the documents below.

Resources

  • The Burden of Cardiovascular Disease in Australia for the Year 2003 (2007)  A new report released by the Heart Foundation reveals that each year, cardiovascular disease robs Australians of nearly 500,000 years of healthy life.  Download
  • Heart, Stroke and Vascular Diseases. Australian Facts (2004)  The highlights from the Heart Foundation and Australian Institute of health and Welfare.  Download A full copy is available by either calling us on 1300 36 27 87 or via email.
  • Cardiovascular Disease - Current Trends (May 2003)   Cardiovascular disease death rate statistics in Australia, including coronary heart disease and stroke. Also includes information about prevalence of risk factors such as overweight/obesity, physical inactivity etc and the impact of social isolation and depression on coronary heart disease.  Download
  • Cardiovascular Disease - Men and Women (May 2003)  Information about the prevalance and risk of cardiovascular disease in men and women. Also includes information about incidence of risk factors such as overweight/obesity, smoking etc.  Download
  • Cardiovascular Disease - Around the World (May 2003) Information about cardiovascular disease death rates around the world, including Australia.  Download
  • Blood Pressure Facts (Dec 2003) Did you know that high blood pressure is the most commonly managed problem in general practice in Australia?  Download