Cardiovascular disease affects 1 in 5 Australians,
or 4.2 million people.
Did you know early detection can be found
through a CT Cardiac Angiogram Scan.
Heart Disease Overview
- Heart disease remains the single biggest killer of all Australians
- Cardiovascular disease kills approximately 1 Australian every 12 minutes
- Cardiovascular disease affects one in five Australians, or 4.2 million people
- Cardiovascular disease costs Australia around $12 billion in healthcare spending every year
Heart disease refers to a range of conditions that affect your heart. There are many types of heart disease, including coronary artery disease (heart attacks, heart muscle disease), heart rhythm problems (arrhythmias), as well as congenital heart defects which are present at birth. Heart conditions that manifest later in life may be inherited or acquired. However in all cases, a combination of both genetic and environmental factors contribute to heart disease. The words “heart disease” are often used interchangeably with the term “cardiovascular disease”. Cardiovascular disease includes heart as well as circulatory conditions, such as stroke. Keep in mind, all heart diseases are cardiovascular diseases, but not all cardiovascular diseases are heart disease.