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Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Performance Framework - Summary report

Cardiovascular disease

Cardiovascular disease is a disease of the circulatory system, namely the heart (cardio) or blood vessels (vascular). This includes heart attack, angina, stroke and peripheral arterial disease. It is the second leading cause of death among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, accounting for 23% of deaths (3,471) in 2015–2019 (data from NSW, Qld, WA, SA and NT combined).

In 2018–19, an estimated 16% (122,100) of Indigenous Australians aged 2 and over had a cardiovascular condition, based on self-reported data from the 2018–19 National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health survey.

The age-standardised rate of hospitalisations from cardiovascular diseases among Indigenous Australians increased by 21% over the decade to 2018–19 (Figure 4.16). Between 2006–07 and 2018–19, the age-standardised proportion of hospitalisations of Indigenous adults involving procedures for coronary heart disease increased from 35% to 66%. These were procedures such as angiography (X-ray imaging of blood vessels) and coronary revascularisation (including, for example, procedures to dilate blood vessels and heart bypass surgery).

The age-standardised death rate from cardiovascular diseases among Indigenous Australians decreased by 18% over the decade 2010 to 2019 (Figure 4.16). There was also a decline in the death rate from cardiovascular diseases among non-Indigenous Australians, with no significant change in the gap.

Figure 4.16: Rate of cardiovascular disease hospitalisations (2009–10 to 2018–19) and deaths (2010–2019), by Indigenous status (age-standardised)

The two line charts show that the rate of hospitalisations from cardiovascular disease among Indigenous Australians increased over the decade to 2018–19, and the gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians widened. It also shows that rate of deaths from cardiovascular decreased in the decade to 2019 for Indigenous Australians, with little change apparent in the gap. The two line charts show that the rate of hospitalisations from cardiovascular disease among Indigenous Australians increased over the decade to 2018–19, and the gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians widened. It also shows that rate of deaths from cardiovascular decreased in the decade to 2019 for Indigenous Australians, with little change apparent in the gap.

Notes

1. Data on hospitalisations from NSW, Vic, Qld, WA, SA and NT combined.

2. Data on deaths from NSW, Qld, WA, SA and NT combined.

Sources: Measure 1.05, Table D1.05.11 – AIHW analysis of National Hospital Morbidity Database; and Measure 1.23, Table D1.23.18 – AIHW National Mortality Database.

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