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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.  

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