PREVALENCE : (Figure 1) IN 2004-05 18% approximately 3.5 million of Australians reported having a long term cardiovascular condition
The most common cardiovascular condition was hypertension (high blood pressure) reported by 11% = 2.1 million. The proportion reporting heart, stroke or vascular conditions was 3.8% of the Australian population. Of those reporting:
- 28% have Angina
- 20% Ischaemic disease
- 12% cerebrovascular disease
- 35% Oedema and heart failure
- 27% disease of the arteries and capillaries The number of Australians with heart, stroke or vascular conditions decreased from 4.3% of the population in 2001 to 3.8% in 2004-05 (age adjusted)
AGE AND SEX: (Figure 2) The prevalence of cardiovascular disease increases with age.
In 2004-05 of those aged 35-44 years, 13% a long term cardiovascular condition.
This increased to 23% for those ages 45 years - 54 years and 63% for those aged 75 years and over.
Overall 20% of females reported having cardiovascular disease compared to 16% of males. The proportion of males and females who reported having heart, stroke and vascular diseases was similar 51% and 49%, respectively.
Of reported heart, stroke and vascular diseases, females were more likely than makes to report Oedema and heart failure which is 23% compared to 11%.
Males were more likely than females to have angina and other ischaemic heart diseases which is 30% compared to 18% and diseases of the arteries, arterioles and capillaries which is 17% compared to 10%.
RISK FACTORS
TOBACCO SMOKING:
Increases risk.
The proportion of adults who are current smokers have dropped from 24% in 2001 to 23% in 2004-05.
15% with Cardiovascular Disease are/were current smokers.
HYPERTENSION (HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE): Disease increased with ages 45-54 by 14%
Every year 3% of the adult population develop high blood pressure 1% for those ages between 25-34 to 8% for those between 65-74 years
HIGH BLOOD CHOLESTEROL :
7% of population have been told a doctor that they have high blood cholesterol. Of Australians reporting a Cardiovascular condition, 40% of people have high blood cholesterol.
PHYSICAL ACTIVITY: 70% of the population low to absolutely no level of exercise.
15 years or over with Cardiovascular Disease have little or no exercise in two weeks (74%) compared with those without is 68%.
OVERWEIGHT AND OBESITY: Overweight and obesity are associated with diseases and conditions such as coronary heart disease, heart failure, stroke, high blood pressure and high blood cholesterol.
In 2004-05, 34% of persons aged 15 and over years were classified as being overweight, and 17% were obese, according to their reported height and weight.
The proportion of overweight and obese Australians is increasing. In 1995, 39% of persons aged 15 years and over were classified as overweight or obese. This increased to 44% in 2001 and 47% in 2004-05 (age adjusted).
People aged 15 years and over with cardiovascular disease were more likely to be classified as overweight or obese than those people without cardiovascular disease (63% compared with 48%).
Australians reporting heart, stroke and vascular diseases aged 15 years and over were much more likely to be classified as overweight or obese than those without heart stroke and vascular disease (65% compared with 51%
DIABETES: People with diabetes are at an increased risk of developing coronary heart disease, stroke and peripheral vascular disease (AIHW 2004). In 2004-05, 60% of people reporting diabetes also reported having a cardiovascular disease.