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Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Performance Framework - Summary report

High blood pressure

High blood pressure is a leading risk factor for cardiovascular diseases, including coronary heart disease, which is the leading cause of avoidable deaths among First Nations people (AIHW 2022d).

In 2018–19, almost 1 in 3 (31%) First Nations people (151,000) had high blood pressure (based on both measured and self-reported data). The prevalence of high blood pressure increased with age for both First Nations and non-Indigenous adults. The greatest relative difference in rates of high blood pressure between First Nations people and non-Indigenous Australians was found among those in the 25–34 age group, with the rate for First Nations people nearly twice as high as non-Indigenous Australians. Rates of high blood pressure are similar among First Nations people in non-remote and remote areas (Figure 4.24).

Figure 4.24: High blood pressure prevalence, by Indigenous status and age group, and by remoteness and age group for First Nations people, 2017–19 

The first column chart shows that the prevalence of high blood pressure increased with age, and it was higher for First Nations people than for non-Indigenous Australians across all age groups, with the highest value in the 55 and over age group (59% for First Nations people and 55% for non-Indigenous Australians). The second column chart shows that the prevalence of high blood pressure for First Nations people was similar in remote and non-remote areas, across all age groups.

Source: Measure 1.07, Table D1.07.7 – AIHW and ABS analysis of National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Survey 2018–19 and National Health Survey 2017–18.

Many people with high blood pressure do not know they have the condition

People with high blood pressure may not know they have the condition – often there are no symptoms.

The 2018–19 National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Survey asked participants whether they had been told they had high blood pressure by a doctor or nurse, and their blood pressure was measured.

Of the First Nations adults with measured high blood pressure (140/90 mmHg or greater):

  • 25% (an estimated 28,400) had already been told they had high blood pressure by a health professional.
  • 75% (83,600) had not been told they had high blood pressure by a health professional.

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