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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 First Nations people, accounting for 23% of deaths (3,471) in 2015–2019 (data from New South Wales, Queensland, Western Australia, South Australia, and the Northern Territory combined).

In 2018–19, an estimated 16% (122,100) of First Nations people 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 First Nations people increased by 21% over the decade from 2009–10 to 2018–19 (Figure 4.17).

Between 2010–11 and 2019–20, the age-standardised proportion of hospitalisations of First Nations adults involving procedures for acute coronary syndrome that included diagnostic coronary angiography (X-ray imaging of blood vessels) and/or a definitive revascularisation procedure (including, for example, procedures to dilate blood vessels and heart bypass surgery) increased from 49% to 64% (AIHW 2023b).

The age-standardised death rate from cardiovascular diseases among First Nations people decreased by 18% over the decade from 2010 to 2019 (Figure 4.17). There was also a decline in the death rate from cardiovascular diseases among non-Indigenous Australians, with no significant change in the gap.

Figure 4.17: Rate of cardiovascular disease hospitalisations (2009–10 to 2018–19) and deaths (2010–2019), by Indigenous status (age-standardised)

The first line chart shows that the rate of hospitalisations from cardiovascular disease among First Nations people increased over the decade to 2018–19, and the gap between First Nations people and non-Indigenous Australians widened.The second line chart shows that, over the period from 2010 to 2019, the death rate due to cardiovascular disease decreased from 269 to 228 deaths per 100,000 for First Nations people and from 189 to 137 deaths per 100,000 for non-Indigenous people.

 Notes
1. Data on hospitalisations from New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, Western Australia, South Australia, and the Northern Territory combined.
2. Data on deaths from New South Wales, Queensland, Western Australia, South Australia, and the Northern Territory combined.
Source: 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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