Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death and disability in Australia, claiming the lives of 50,294 people in 2002, or 38% of all deaths. Around 3.67 million Australians are affected by cardiovascular disease. 1.1 million Australians are disabled long-term by cardiovascular disease. The prevalence of heart, stroke and vascular conditions increased by 18.2% over the last decade.

The proportion of Australian adults with risk factors is high: • 60% are overweight – 7.42 million adults

• 54% are not suffi ciently active to achieve healthy benefi ts – 7.27 million adults • 51% have high blood cholesterol – 6.40 million adults • 30% have high blood pressure – 3.69 million adults • 20 % smoke daily – 3.06 million adults • 10% drink at levels considered harmful to their health – 1.54 million adults• 8% have diabetes – 945,600 adults Males are more likely to die from cardiovascular disease than females across all age groups, with death rates among males aged 25 – 74 years two to three times that of females.

For a 40 year old, the risk of having coronary heart disease at some time in their future life is 1 in 2 for men and 1 in 3 for women. Men aged 25 years and over were more likely to be overweight than women of the same age.

Ref: Heart Foundation of Australia