Cardiovascular disease in Australia

What is cardiovascular disease?

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) covers all diseases and conditions of the heart and blood vessels.

Key facts about cardiovascular disease in Australia

  Prevalence - number of Australians with condition in 2004-05 Hospitalisations in 2006-07 Deaths in 2006
All cardiovascular diseases 3,702,500 469,817 45,670
Coronary heart disease 637,900 162,328 22,983
Stroke 346,700
(2003 data)
34,476 8,484
Heart failure 263,000 43,681 2,352
High blood pressure 2,100,700 n.a. n.a
Peripheral vascular disease n.a. 25,813 2,163
Rheumatic fever and
rheumatic heart disease
1,402 2,561 285

Sources: ABS 2004-05 National Health Survey; ABS 2003 Survey of Disability, Ageing and Carers; National Hospital Morbidity Database & AIHW National Mortality Database.

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