heartfoundation.org.au|Helpline 13 11 12

CVD risk assessment for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults

This consensus statement contains recommendations for assessing CVD risk in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults aged under 35.

A consensus statement has been published which makes new recommendations for assessing cardiovascular disease risk in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults aged under 35. 

Resource 

CVD risk assessment for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults aged under 35 years
(Access the statement)

In March 2020, a consensus statement was published on CVD risk assessment for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults under the age of 35. 


Amongst the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population, cardiovascular disease (CVD) accounts for a quarter of all deaths and it is the largest contributor to preventable morbidity and mortality1. Research shows that 75% of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults under 35 years old have one or more risk factors for CVD2. 

Compared to non-Indigenous adults, emerging evidence shows that high absolute CVD risk starts earlier in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults. On average, CVD events such as heart attacks, strokes and CVD-related mortality occur 10 - 20 years earlier in the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population than in the non-Indigenous Australian population3.  

This has informed primary care guidance of the need to lower the age of CVD risk screening and management in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults2. In March 2020, a consensus statement was published on CVD risk assessment for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults under the age of 35. 

Additional information

The consensus statement was developed by key peak bodies including the Heart Foundation, Australian National University, the RACGP, NACCHO, The Central Australian Rural Practitioners Association (CARPA), and other Australian Chronic Disease Prevention Alliance members. Further information on the method of how these recommendations were developed can be found in the consensus statement.  

  • Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders without existing CVD should undergo CVD risk factor screening from the age of 18 years at the latest. 

  • Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders without existing CVD should undergo an absolute CVD risk assessment from age 30 years at the latest. This now aligns with the Heart Health Check MBS item eligibility criteria. 

  • Assessment should occur as part of an annual health check or opportunistically. Subsequent reviews should be conducted according to the level of risk.  

  • Decisions about management should be made through a shared decision-making framework. 

  • Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders aged 18 - 29 years with the following clinical conditions are automatically conferred a high CVD risk status:  

    • type 2 diabetes and microalbuminuria 

    • moderate to severe chronic kidney disease 

    • high blood pressure: systolic blood pressure ≥ 180mmHg or diastolic blood pressure ≥ 110mmHG 

    • high cholesterol: serum total cholesterol > 7.5 mmol/L 

    • family history of high cholesterol 

Visit the Australian National University website for CVD risk resources that are designed for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients.  

More on this topic

For professionals: Heart Health Checks

For professionals: Heart Health Checks

Heart Health Checks have been supported by Medicare since April 2019....

Absolute CVD risk clinical guidelines

Absolute CVD risk clinical guidelines

The Absolute Cardiovascular Disease Risk (CVD) Guidelines helps healthcare professionals identify, prevent and manage a person's risk of developing CVD. ...

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk assessment and management

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk assessment and management

Absolute CVD risk assessment is an integrated approach that estimates the cumulative risk of multiple risk factors to predict a heart attack or stroke event in the next five years....

You might also be interested in

About the Lighthouse Hospital Project

About the Lighthouse Hospital Project

Heart disease is the number one cause of death in Australia, but the burden of disease disproportionately affects Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples....

Absolute CVD risk clinical guidelines

Absolute CVD risk clinical guidelines

The Absolute Cardiovascular Disease Risk (CVD) Guidelines helps healthcare professionals identify, prevent and manage a person's risk of developing CVD. ...

WEBINAR | The future of CVD risk assessment

WEBINAR | The future of CVD risk assessment

WEBINAR | The future of CVD risk assessment

Should population-based CVD risk assessment models make way for individualised risk prediction techniques?...

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Training Centre

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Training Centre

Training to support identification of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients, in line with standard practice....

Absolute CVD risk calculator

Absolute CVD risk calculator

The Absolute CVD risk calculator estimates the likelihood of having a heart attack or stroke in the next five years....

For professionals: Heart Health Checks

For professionals: Heart Health Checks

Heart Health Checks have been supported by Medicare since April 2019....

Acute rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease

Acute rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease

The Australian Guideline for Prevention, Diagnosis and Management of Acute Rheumatic Fever and Rheumatic Heart Disease (2nd Edition)​....

Aboriginal heart health

Aboriginal heart health

Aboriginal heart health

Visit the St Vincents Hospital NSW and Heart Foundation Aboriginal heart health website for more information...

Absolute CVD risk charts

Absolute CVD risk charts

Absolute CVD risk charts provide a visual tool to calculate CVD risk for use in practice in Australia....

The Lighthouse Hospital Project: The story so far

The Lighthouse Hospital Project: The story so far

The project aims to reduce inequalities in healthcare, with a focus on cardiac care and patient outcomes. ...

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk assessment and management

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk assessment and management

Absolute CVD risk assessment is an integrated approach that estimates the cumulative risk of multiple risk factors to predict a heart attack or stroke event in the next five years....

WEBINAR | Absolute CVD risk assessment practical update

WEBINAR | Absolute CVD risk assessment practical update

A multidisciplinary panel of experts discuss the practical application of absolute CVD risk assessment through Heart Health Checks....

Pilbara Aboriginal Heart Health Program

Pilbara Aboriginal Heart Health Program

Pilbara Aboriginal Heart Health Program

The program works with local communities to help improve heart health in the Pilbara....

Hypertension clinical information and guidelines

Hypertension clinical information and guidelines

Clinical information for diagnosis and management of hypertension....

WEBINAR | Heart Health Checks: the critical role of the practice nurse

WEBINAR | Heart Health Checks: the critical role of the practice nurse

WEBINAR | Heart Health Checks: the critical role of the practice nurse

This webinar discusses the role of practice nurses in conducting heart health checks...

Michelle Bovill

Michelle Bovill

Michelle Bovill

Co-developing health information appropriate for Aboriginal and Torres Strait islander communities....

Lipid management clinical information and resources

Lipid management clinical information and resources

Lipid management resources for health professionals...

Fitness alone wasn’t enough to prevent Warrawatja Bell’s heart attack

Fitness alone wasn’t enough to prevent Warrawatja Bell’s heart attack

Fitness alone wasn’t enough to prevent Warrawatja Bell’s heart attack

Just 48 years old and in training for a boxing match, Warrawatja Bell was focused on his fitness and had no idea he was at risk of heart disease...

Heart Foundation Recovery Support and Resources

Heart Foundation Recovery Support and Resources

Heart Foundation Recovery Support and Resources

Heart Foundation programs and resources to support your recovery....

Aboriginal heart health

Aboriginal heart health

Aboriginal heart health

Visit the St Vincents Hospital NSW and Heart Foundation Aboriginal heart health website for more information...

Support us and help save Australian hearts

Support us and help save Australian hearts

Support us and help save Australian hearts

Join the fight against Australia’s biggest killer by supporting the Heart Foundation.  ...

How we fought heart disease in 2020

How we fought heart disease in 2020

How we fought heart disease in 2020

Everything we do is possible thanks to the generosity of our supporters. ...

Fundraise to save Australian hearts

Fundraise to save Australian hearts

Fundraise to save Australian hearts

Join our community of fundraisers who are committed to taking action to fight heart disease....

Are you at risk of heart disease?

Are you at risk of heart disease?

Are you at risk of heart disease?

There is no single cause for any one heart condition, but there are risk factors that increase your chance of developing one. ...

Heart Health Check Toolkit

Heart Health Check Toolkit

Atrial fibrillation resources for patients

Atrial fibrillation resources for patients

Key healthy eating messages for heart attack recovery 

Key healthy eating messages for heart attack recovery 

Key healthy eating messages for heart attack recovery 

Eating healthy foods can help you recover and reduce your risk of more heart problems. ...

Heart attack medication

Heart attack medication

Heart attack medication

There are a number of medications you could be prescribed after a heart attack....

Being a carer for a heart attack patient

Being a carer for a heart attack patient

Being a carer for a heart attack patient

Your role as a carer for a heart attack patient is an important one – explore some useful things to know....

Key Statistics: Cardiovascular Disease

Key Statistics: Cardiovascular Disease

Statistics and information on Cardiovascular disease in Australia. ...

Wholegrains and heart health

Wholegrains and heart health

Wholegrains and heart health

All you need to know about wholegrains to put you on the right track...

Lamb recipes

Lamb recipes

Lamb recipes

Find heart healthy lamb recipes....

Kylie defied the heart attack stereotypes

Kylie defied the heart attack stereotypes

Kylie defied the heart attack stereotypes

Cardiac rehabilitation was a turning point for Kylie and essential to her heart failure recovery....

From diagnosis at 37 to heart surgery, rehab and now

From diagnosis at 37 to heart surgery, rehab and now

From diagnosis at 37 to heart surgery, rehab and now

Claude Lam, Open heart surgery survivor...

Nutrition after a heart attack

Nutrition after a heart attack

Nutrition after a heart attack

Discover key information on heart-healthy eating and drinking....

Improving food supply

Improving food supply

Improving food supply

The Heart Foundation supports initiatives that guide people to healthier food and drink choices. ...

After being treated for atrial fibrillation, Boyd is now back on track

After being treated for atrial fibrillation, Boyd is now back on track

After being treated for atrial fibrillation, Boyd is now back on track

Running has been an important part of Boyd's life, so imagine his shock when a heart condition he had never heard of threatened to put a stop to it. ...

Heart Healthy Dinner Plan

Heart Healthy Dinner Plan

Heart Healthy Dinner Plan

Sign up now and discover delicious, easy to follow dinner recipes. Plus shopping lists, tips and other helpful information to make healthy eating easy. ...

Heart-healthy drinks

Heart-healthy drinks

Heart-healthy drinks

While water is clearly the most heart-healthy drink, there are ther drinks that can be enjoyed in moderation. ...

How to make healthier meals at home

How to make healthier meals at home

How to make healthier meals at home

Cooking at home is often healthier than eating out....

Workplace giving program

Workplace giving program

Workplace giving program

Workplace giving is a simple and tax effective way for employees to make regular donations to a cause they care about. ...

Confidential. Personal. Reliable.

Confidential. Personal. Reliable.

Confidential. Personal. Reliable.

Got a question about your heart?...

Heart disease and pregnancy

Heart disease and pregnancy

Heart disease and pregnancy

Pregnancy is often referred to as the “ultimate stress test” for the body....

Life changing research currently underway

Life changing research currently underway

Life changing research currently underway

Search our current researcher's and the ground breaking research being undertaken....

Register your cardiac service with the Heart Foundation

Register your cardiac service with the Heart Foundation

This cardiac services directory presents information on cardiac rehab programs offered across Australia....

Medical tests for heart disease

Medical tests for heart disease

Medical tests for heart disease

Learn about the common tests your doctor may want you to have to diagnose your heart condition....

Kids recipes

Kids recipes

Kids recipes

Find heart healthy kids recipes...

Cardiomyopathy; another health curveball for Ange

Cardiomyopathy; another health curveball for Ange

Cardiomyopathy; another health curveball for Ange

A story from Ange Foster ...