Understanding the impact of heart disease
What’s in this article
This article explores the risk factors of heart disease and its impact on our health system and the economy. It highlights the higher burden placed on those living in rural communities.
Heart disease, or cardiovascular disease (CVD), encompasses a range of conditions affecting the heart and blood vessels. The most prevalent types include:
Coronary Heart Disease (CHD): This occurs when the coronary arteries, which supply blood to the heart muscle, become narrowed or blocked due to the buildup of cholesterol-rich deposits called plaques. This can lead to chest pain (angina), shortness of breath, or even a heart attack.
Heart failure: A condition where the heart is unable to pump blood effectively, leading to symptoms such as fatigue, shortness of breath, and fluid retention.
Arrhythmias: These are disorders characterised by abnormal heart rhythms, which can cause the heart to beat too fast, too slow, or irregularly.
Valvular heart disease: This involves damage to one or more of the heart’s valves, affecting blood flow within the heart.
Heart disease is typically diagnosed through a combination of medical history evaluation, physical examinations, and diagnostic tests such as electrocardiograms (ECGs), echocardiograms, stress tests, and coronary angiography.
Factors that increase risk of heart disease
High blood pressure (Hypertension): Elevated blood pressure can damage arteries, making them more susceptible to plaque build up (atherosclerosis).
High cholesterol levels: Excessive low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol can lead to plaque formation in arteries.
Smoking: Tobacco use damages the heart and blood vessels, increasing the risk of atherosclerosis.
Diabetes: High blood sugar levels can damage blood vessels and the nerves that control the heart.
Obesity: Excess weight often worsens other risk factors such as high blood pressure, diabetes, and high cholesterol.
Physical inactivity: Lack of exercise contributes to obesity and is associated with other risk factors.
Unhealthy diet: Diets high in saturated fats, trans fats, salt, and sugar can increase the risk of heart disease.
Family history: A family history of heart disease increases one’s risk, especially if a parent developed it at an early age.
Globally, cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death, accounting for approximately 17.9 million
or 32% of deaths every year.
Impact of heart disease in Australia
In Australia, heart disease remains a significant health concern:
Prevalence: One in six Australians is living with cardiovascular disease, totalling over 4 million individuals.
Mortality: In 2021, ischaemic heart disease was the leading cause of death, accounting for 17,331 deaths or 10.1% of all deaths in the country.
Hospitalisations: Cardiovascular disease is responsible for 1.2 million hospitalisations annually, equating to one every minute.
Impact of heart disease in rural Australia
Individuals residing in rural and remote areas of Australia face a disproportionately higher burden of cardiovascular disease (CVD) compared to their urban counterparts. The prevalence of CVD in these populations is 20-30% higher, influenced by factors such as dietary patterns, obesity, high blood pressure, and elevated blood sugar levels.
Mortality rates from heart disease are notably elevated in rural regions. Data indicates that deaths from heart disease are 60% higher in rural and remote areas compared to metropolitan areas.
Hospitalisation rates due to heart conditions also show a stark disparity. Individuals in rural areas experience higher rates of hospitalisations due to heart attack and heart failure compared to those in metropolitan regions.
The increased burden of CVD in rural Australia can be attributed to several factors:
Socioeconomic challenges: Rural populations often have lower incomes, reduced educational opportunities, and limited employment prospects, all of which contribute to poorer heart health outcomes.
Healthcare access: There is a scarcity of health professionals and infrastructure in rural areas, leading to challenges in accessing timely and adequate medical care.
Lifestyle factors: Limited access to affordable healthy food, recreational facilities, and environments conducive to physical activity further exacerbate the risk factors associated with heart disease in these communities.
Economic and health burden
The impact of heart disease in Australia extends beyond health implications:
Healthcare costs: Cardiovascular disease costs the Australian health system $12.7 billion annually, accounting for 11% of all hospitalisations and representing the second-highest disease expenditure in the country.
Loss of healthy life years: In 2023, Australians lost an estimated 666,000 years of healthy life due to various forms of cardiovascular disease.
Addressing heart disease requires comprehensive strategies focusing on prevention, early detection, and effective management, particularly in vulnerable populations such as those in rural and remote areas.
To tackle heart disease in rural Australia, we need to focus on the specific challenges rural communities face.
This includes making healthcare easier to access, improving living conditions, and encouraging healthier lifestyles to reduce the higher rates of heart problems in rural areas.
Maryam is in her final year of medical studies at Bond University. An avid traveller, Maryam has explored various parts of the globe, fostering a particular interest in rural and vulnerable populations.