Take 7: Burden of cardiovascular disease

The year with the highest number of deaths from cardiovascular disease in Australian history occurred 50 years ago

The year with the highest number of deaths from cardiovascular disease in Australian history occurred 50 years ago.

“The peak was 1968,” says cardiologist Professor Andrew Sindone.

“Since 1968, things have improved [through] smoking reduction, all those people out there checking blood pressure, [and] hyperlipidaemia control.

“If we were at the same level that we were at in 1968, taking into account the rise in the Australian population, there would have been last year an extra 468,000 people who would have had a cardiovascular event.”

About 90% of Australian adults currently have at least one modifiable cardiovascular disease risk factor, and about 25% have three or more risk factors, he said.

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