Cardiovascular Disease

Cardiovascular Disease

Cardiovascular Disease

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death and disease burden in Australia.

Cardiovascular disease is diseases of the heart and blood vessels.

The term commonly includes diseases such as:

• coronary heart disease
• heart failure
• cardiomyopathy
• congenital heart disease
• peripheral vascular disease
• stroke

Many of these conditions can be life-threatening.

There are many risk factors, some risk factors such as family history, ethnicity and age, cannot be changed.

Other risk factors that can be treated or changed include:

• tobacco exposure
• high blood pressure (hypertension)
• high cholesterol
• obesity
• physical inactivity
• diabetes
• unhealthy diets
• harmful use of alcohol

There are many steps that you can take to reduce your risk of developing coronary heart disease by reducing the risk factors and making lifestyle changes.

A Health plan can make managing your condition easier. Your management plan should consist of:

• Prescribed medications
• Diet
• Daily activities
• Exercise
• Lifestyle and health habits

For further information

• The Heart Foundation– We help people with, and at risk of, cardiovascular disease by providing comprehensive information and guidance on how to minimise their risk. www.heartfoundation.org.au