

Distance, disadvantage lead to WA heart health divide: new data
Media Release - 01 December 2020
West Australians living in the outback regions of the Kimberley and Pilbara are among those who are twice as likely to be hospitalised for heart attack compared with their regional and city counterparts, highlighting the growing heart health divide in the nation’s largest state.
New Australian Heart Maps figures, released today by the Heart Foundation, paint a picture of an alarming rural, regional and city divide, with people living in WA’s outback experiencing greater rates of heart disease deaths, hospitalisations and risk factors compared with their city peers.
West Australians living in the northern outback including in the Kimberley and Pilbara regions are more than twice as likely to be hospitalised for heart attack compared with their counterparts in the Wheatbelt, Bunbury and inner-city Perth regions.
Heart Disease deaths in outback WA, including Greater Geraldton, Kalgoorlie-Boulder, Karratha, and Broome are 40% higher compared to the south west region of Perth.
Heart Foundation CEO WA, Sarah Fordham, said the figures show that distance and disadvantage are responsible for some of the biggest heart health gaps in the stateThese maps help us understand the areas that are in the greatest need of healthcare services and investment, and we hope the WA Government will support us in addressing these figures and the causes that contribute to them,” Ms Fordham said.
“We need to look at ways to bridge these gaps in healthcare and address the lack of knowledge and awareness that can contribute to poor heart health.
“Too often we hear that people don’t realise anything is wrong until they end up in hospital with a heart attack. The fact is that heart disease is relevant to everyone – it’s our single biggest killer.”
Western Australia’s outback and regional areas also fare worse than city spots when it comes to some heart disease risk factors.
Smoking rates in the outback south region of WA are the second highest in the country and twice as high as in the inner-city suburbs of Perth, while Bunbury and the Wheatbelt have obesity rates that are close to 70% higher than those in metropolitan Perth.
While the greatest divides in heart health are seen between WA’s outback and metropolitan regions, there are some stark disparities in Perth’s city areas.
Deaths from heart disease in Perth’s north east areas including the cities of Swan, Bayswater, Kalamanda and Belmont, are 30% higher than those in the south west of Perth – including the cities of Rockingham, Cockburn, Fremantle and Melville.
The number of smokers in Perth’s north east is 60% higher and with obesity levels nearly 50% higher compared to those in the inner-city suburbs of Perth.
People are hospitalised for heart conditions in south east Perth including in the -shire of Gosnells and Canning at a rate that is 24% higher than those living in Perth’s inner suburbs. There are many ways to prevent or interrupt the journey to heart disease if risk factors are picked up early and if people understand what to do to improve their heart health,” Ms Fordham said.
“We’re urging all West Australians to understand their risk of heart disease so they can take action to reduce it and the best way to do this is to have a Heart Health Check.
“If you’re 45 and over, or 30 and over if you’re Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander, talk to your GP about having a Heart Health Check covered by Medicare.”
Media enquiries
Emily Goddard, Media Advisor
M: 0439 609 243 E: Emily.Goddard@heartfoundation.org.au
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. ...
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...
Clinical Guidelines
Clinical Guidelines
Clinical Guidelines
Full list of clinical guidlines and references for CVD, heart failure, ACS, hypertension, atrial fibrillation, SCAD and RHD...
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....
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. ...
Fundraise to save Australian hearts
Fundraise to save Australian hearts
Fundraise to save Australian hearts
Join the Heart Foundation community. Together, we can make a real difference for Australian hearts. ...
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. ...
Support and resources for health care professionals
Support and resources for health care professionals
Support and resources for health care professionals
Our range of clinical and patient support resources are available for you to use in your daily practice....
Help Keep families together this Christmas
Help Keep families together this Christmas
Help Keep families together this Christmas
Together, we can make heart disease history. Donate today to help fund ground-breaking heart research and keep families together this Christmas. ...
Snack recipes
Snack recipes
Snack recipes
Search for healthy snack ideas...
Spontaneous Coronary Artery Dissection (SCAD)
Spontaneous Coronary Artery Dissection (SCAD)
Clinical information and links to SCAD resources....
Get started with more physical activity
Get started with more physical activity
Get started with more physical activity
Finding time for physical activity is one of the best things you can do for your heart...
WEBINAR | CVD & COVID-19
WEBINAR | CVD & COVID-19
WEBINAR | CVD & COVID-19
Ask the experts: caring for people with CVD during COVID-19...
Our Annual Reports
Our Annual Reports
Our Annual Reports
Discover our Annual reports from 2013 onwards. ...
Dinner recipes
Dinner recipes
Dinner recipes
Search our heart healthy dinner recipes for tonights main meal...
Heart attack at 35: Knowing the signs and symptoms
Heart attack at 35: Knowing the signs and symptoms
Heart attack at 35: Knowing the signs and symptoms
David reflects on how his life changed when he had a heart attack at 35 and how he got back on track....
Smart Heart Guidelines App
Smart Heart Guidelines App
Smart Heart Guidelines App
Access to Australian heart disease guidelines is now free at your fingertips...
Key Statistics: Risk factors for heart disease
Key Statistics: Risk factors for heart disease
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. ...
Coronary Angiogram Test
Coronary Angiogram Test
This is a common test done to find out angina symptoms, or during or after a heart attack. ...
Heart failure resources for patients
Heart failure resources for patients
Educate your patients on everything they need to know about heart failure and managing their condition. ...
Key Statistics: Heart Failure
Key Statistics: Heart Failure
Statistics and information on heart failure in Australia ...
Meditation helped Grant recover from his heart attack
Meditation helped Grant recover from his heart attack
Meditation helped Grant recover from his heart attack
Thankfully for Grant Byrne, a lifelong Led Zeppelin fan, some quick thinking helped him avoid a stairway to heaven. Read Grant’s heart attack story now. ...
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....
David’s shock heart failure diagnosis was just the start of a tough journey
David’s shock heart failure diagnosis was just the start of a tough journey
David’s shock heart failure diagnosis was just the start of a tough journey
David's heart failure diagnosis led to significant changes in his life....
Health Professional Ambassador Program
Health Professional Ambassador Program
Health Professional Ambassador Program
Would you like to improve the cardiovascular health of your patients?...
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...
Benefits of physical activity for your heart
Benefits of physical activity for your heart
Benefits of physical activity for your heart
Physical activity and exercise can do wonders for your physical and mental health....
Spring back to heart-healthy eating with these delicious tips
Spring back to heart-healthy eating with these delicious tips
Spring back to heart-healthy eating with these delicious tips
With spring sprung, now is the time to get back to heart-healthy eating. ...
Heart Safe Community
Heart Safe Community
Heart Safe Community
Heart Safe Community is a program that aims to increase a person’s chance of survival if they suffer a cardiac arrest outside of hospital. ...