Heart attacks and deaths
Heart attacks and deaths have fallen over time
Despite the impact of CVD on Australian women, rates of acute coronary events (heart attack or unstable angina) and deaths have fallen substantially over recent decades (Figure 3).
Between 2001 and 2016, the rate of acute coronary events among women fell by 57%, from 465 to 215 events per 100,000.
Figure 3: Trends in acute coronary events among women, by age group, 2001–2016
Sources: AIHW National Mortality Database; AIHW National Hospital Morbidity Database.
Between 2001 and 2015, the incidence of stroke among women fell by 25%, from 148 to 113 events per 100,000.
Between 2006 and 2016, the share of total female deaths due to CVD also fell – from 37% to 29% – with similar patterns for coronary heart disease (from 17% to 11% of all Australian females) and stroke (from 8.0% to 6.4% of all Australian females).
Smaller improvements – and a rise in strokes – among younger women
Improvements in the incidence of CVD have been smaller among younger women.
Between 2001 and 2015, the incidence of acute coronary events fell by 22% for women aged 35–44, but by 65% for women aged 65–74.
Between 2006 and 2016, CVD death rates fell by 13% for women aged 45–54, but by more than 40% for women aged 65–74 and 75–84.
Although the overall incidence of stroke for women fell by 25% between 2001 and 2015, rates rose among younger women – by 16% for those aged 35–44, and by 12% for those aged 45–54 (Figure 4).
Figure 4: Trends in stroke events among women, by age group, 2001–2015
Sources: AIHW National Mortality Database; AIHW National Hospital Morbidity Database.