Heart Health
Why focus on heart health checks?
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is one of the most prevalent chronic conditions in Australia. Modifiable CVD risk factors account for up to 90 per cent of the risk of myocardial infarction, indicating that CVD is largely preventable. General practitioners (GPs) play a crucial role in preventing CVD by assessing and managing their patients’ risk factors.
Impact of CVD in Australia
- CVD is a major cause of death in Australia, responsible for one in four (26 per cent) of all deaths.
- One in six Australians self-report as living with CVD, accounting for more than four million Australians.
- Someone is hospitalised for CVD every minute, equating to a total of 1600 hospitalisations per day.
Source: Heart Foundation (21 February 2022), Key Statistics: Cardiovascular Disease, heartfoundation.org.au/activities-finding-or-opinion/key-stats-cardiovascular-disease
Heart Health Check Quality Improvement Guide
The Heart Foundation Heart Health Check Toolkit and Quality Improvement
Other Resources
For more information or to request support for Heart Health Quality Improvement email pcait@snhn.org.au