The goal of the National Strategic Action Plan for Heart Disease and Stroke is:

Today, more than four million Australians are living with cardiovascular disease (including heart disease and stroke), and each year nearly 44,000 Australians will die from cardiovascular disease. Apart from the great human cost, the impact on our health system is substantial. Cardiovascular disease has the highest level of healthcare expenditure of any disease group in Australia.

Yet cardiovascular disease is largely preventable. Interventions to treat and manage heart disease and stroke are proven to be effective. There is a solid foundation already in place for future breakthroughs in the prevention, treatment and management of these diseases. In recent decades, there have been significant advances in tackling preventable disease, improving access to best practice treatment and supporting Australians to live well. However, there is more to be done. The National Strategic Action Plan for Heart Disease and Stroke provides a roadmap to achieving our goal of a healthier Australia. The Action Plan sets out strategic, evidence-based, cost-effective and patient focused actions that will save lives.

Tackling two of this nation’s biggest killers – heart disease and stroke – is challenging, but it will reap enormous benefits.

On behalf of the National Heart Foundation of Australia and Stroke Foundation, we acknowledge and thank our Steering Committee, chaired by Professor Emily Banks, and all those who have participated in the development of this plan. We commend this Action Plan to the Australian Government and look forward to working with all of our stakeholders across cardiovascular health to implement the National Strategic Action Plan for Heart Disease and Stroke.