The Australian Heart and Stroke Charter Presented to Government

The National Heart Foundation of Australia and the National Stroke Foundation, supported by nine other leading cardiovascular disease organisations, today presented the Australian Heart and Stroke Charter to state and federal governments.
The charter sets out five measures to end complacency and help position Australia as a world leader in cardiovascular health.They are:

1. 
   Prevent heart attack and stroke


2. 
   Early detection to identify people at risk


3. 
   Faster treatment to save lives


4. 
   Improve the quality of health and hospital care and boost cardiovascular research


5. 
   Rehabilitation and support: help survivors avoid repeat heart attacks and strokes

The Heart Foundation’s National CEO, Mary Barry said cardiovascular disease – principally heart attack and stroke – is a major cause of premature death, disability and avoidable hospital admissions.
“More than 3.7 million Australians are living with the cardiovascular disease and almost 500,000 of those people are hospitalised for their condition every year,” Ms Barry said.
“If governments are serious about reducing health costs, they must be serious about reducing heart attacks and strokes. “Our five key actions will save lives, reduce avoidable hospital admissions and ease pressure on healthcare budgets.
“Cardiovascular disease is the most costly disease for our health budget, with it costing $7.6 billion a year and accounting for 12% of the Government’s total healthcare expenditure.”
National Stroke Foundation Acting Chief Executive Officer Rebecca Naylor said there were massive gaps in prevention, detection and management of cardiovascular disease in Australia.
“Thousands of Australians and their families are feeling the full impact of heart disease and stroke when it might have been prevented. Unnecessary death and disability is their sad legacy,’’ Ms Naylor said.
“Prevention programs work, simple early detection and screening programs in general practice can help identify health issues before an emergency strikes.
“A modest government investment in early detection and treatment will reduce incidence of Australia’s biggest chronic disease killers and demand on our health system.”
Ms Barry added that high-quality hospital care is critical to save lives and to ensure the best quality of life after a heart attack or stroke.
“Currently many health services fall below the minimum standard of care and not enough people who have had a heart attack or stroke, or who have heart failure are being referred to cardiac rehabilitation or being actively followed up to help maximise their recovery and avoid their high chances of having a repeat event,” she said.
Australia does well in many aspects of cardiovascular disease prevention and management, but there are many areas that need urgent attention if we are to successfully meet the WHO targets to reduce premature CVD deaths by 25% by 2025 (in the next decade).
The Australian Heart and Stroke Charter is supported by the Heart Foundation, National Stroke Foundation, HeartKids Australia, Australian Cardiovascular Health and Rehabilitation Association, Cardiac Society of Australia and New Zealand, Heart Support Australia, Australian and New Zealand Society of Cardiac and Thoracic Surgeons, The George Institute for Global Health, Baker IDI Heart and Diabetes Institute, Australian Stroke Coalition and Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute.