Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the term used for heart, stroke and blood vessel diseases. It is the leading cause of death in Australia, accounting for 34% of all deaths in Australia in 2006. Cardiovascular disease kills one Australian nearly every 10 minutes.

Cardiovascular disease is one of Australia's largest health problems. Despite improvements over the last few decades, it remains one of the biggest burdens on our economy. 

Cardiovascular disease:

• is heart, stroke and blood vessel disease
• kills one Australian nearly every 11 minutes
• affects more than 3.4 million Australians
• prevents 1.4 million people from living a full life because of disability caused by the disease
• affects one in five Australians, and affects two out of three families
• claimed the lives of almost 48,500 Australians (34% of all deaths) in 2008 - deaths that are largely preventable.

Resources

• The Burden of Cardiovascular Disease in Australia for the Year 2003 (2007)  
  A report released by the Heart Foundation which reveals that each year cardiovascular disease robs Australians of nearly 500,000 years of healthy life.
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• Heart, Stroke and Vascular Diseases. Australian Facts (2004) 
  Clicking this link will take you to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare website.
• Heart, Stroke and Vascular Diseases. Australian Facts - highlights (2004) 
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