Cardiovascular disease is an umbrella term applied to a long list of conditions affecting the heart and blood vessels. In Australia, coronary heart disease, stroke and heart failure are the most common forms of cardiovascular disease, and it’s estimated that more than four million Australians are affected by cardiovascular disease every year. In fact, heart disease is the leading cause of death and disease in Australia.
So what issues can cardiovascular disease cause and how can it be treated? Read on to find out.
Cardiovascular disease is a collective term that refers to diseases that affect the heart and blood vessels. Some of the more common conditions classified as cardiovascular disease include:
The most common form of cardiovascular disease is coronary heart disease, which takes two major forms: heart attack and angina.
Heart attacks are life-threatening medical episodes caused by a blockage to a blood vessel that supplies the heart, while angina is characterised by short episodes of chest pain caused by a temporary deficiency in the heart’s blood supply.
Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death and disease in Australia – in 2014-15, an estimated 4.2 million Australian adults had one or more cardiovascular diseases.
There are several risk factors associated with the development of heart disease. Some of them are unmodifiable, including gender, ethnicity, genetic predisposition and age. With Australia’s ageing population and improved treatment methods, people with cardiovascular disease are living longer than ever before, resulting in an increased burden for Australia’s health system.
However, several of the risk factors associated with cardiovascular disease are lifestyle related, including smoking, insufficient exercise, poor diet and heavy alcohol consumption. People with high blood pressure, high cholesterol levels and obesity also have an increased risk of suffering from cardiovascular disease.
Because cardiovascular disease refers to a wide range of conditions, the symptoms of heart-related problems can vary. For some people, the first sign of any problem could even be a heart attack or other serious medical event, but there are some telltale signs and symptoms you should watch for that could indicate cardiovascular disease. These include:
Although symptoms vary widely from one type of cardiovascular disease to the next, they should not be ignored. If you are experiencing any symptoms that could indicate heart problems, seek medical attention as soon as possible.
Just as symptoms vary depending on the type of cardiovascular disease, so too do the treatment methods. Some of the options used to treat and manage heart disease include:
Statistics highlight just how serious a problem cardiovascular disease is in Australia:
Use our free tool to see your options with Australian health funds
Why compare health insurance with Finder?
We don't ask for your phone or email to see prices.
With 1 click, you can open your results to nearly every fund in Australia.
You pay the same price as going direct – we charge no fees.
Why compare with us
Our customers trust us
Picture: Shutterstock
Get the lowdown on what's happening, so you can get a better deal on your health insurance.
Frank Health Insurance provides Overseas Visitor Health Cover (OVHC) for 457, 482 and 485 visas. Find out if it has a policy that's right for you.
Need health cover for gastroscopy? Find out how private health insurance and Medicare cover treatment and compare the costs for the most affordable option.
Review the various ahm health insurance options available and helps you decide whether any of its policies are what you need.
Medibank offers policy options to suit people with a wide range of needs and budgets.
Frank Insurance, owned by GMHBA, aims to make health insurance simple, easy to understand and affordable.
Looking for health cover? This article helps you by looking at HCF's health insurance options and lets you decide whether any of its policies are what you need.
This guide looks at the cover that’s available for treating mental illness and how to shop for insurance when you have a mental health issue.
If you’re looking for private health insurance in Victoria, compare the most popular health funds in your state and how much it costs to take out cover.
Bupa health insurance offers different levels of cover for better health services but also provides tax benefits and prevents government penalties.
