Despite decades of public awareness about the risk factors for cardiovascular disease, it's still the number one killer in Australia according to new figures released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) earlier this month.
"Heart disease is still the number one killer of Australian men and women and has been for the last decade and beyond," said Dr Lyn Roberts, National CEO of the Heart Foundation.
"We acknowledge the really important work the Federal Government has done to drive down smoking rates but more needs to be done.
Around 21,500 people died of heart disease in 2011 compared with 26,200 in 2001. The proportion of deaths from heart disease has fallen from 19% in 2001 to 15% in 2011.
"These statistics add even more evidence to an already overwhelming case for a national action plan to improve early detection and management of heart disease," Dr Roberts said.
The Heart Foundation's action plan includes 11 proposals aimed at tackling heart disease including:
* health checks in general practice to detect people at risk of heart disease, stroke, diabetes and kidney disease
* reduction of salt and saturated fat levels in commonly eaten foods
* protecting agricultural land around Australia's major cities so fresh, nutritious food is readily available, and
* active travel strategy to encourage walking, cycling and public transport use.
The last two points were the focus of a speech made in Canberra yesterday by the National Cardiovascular Health Director of the Heart Foundation, Dr Robert Grenfell.
Speaking at a conference of urban planning professionals, Dr Grenfell said that planners needed to ensure that valuable agricultural land close to cities is protected.
"The design and layout of our urban environment has a major effect on whether people have physical and financial access to food," he said.
"Cities should also plan for more dense populations to make local shops with health food, retail and food service and public transport infrastructure viable."
Dr Grenfell said that planning decisions also affect where shops are located and how people get to those shops, as well as parkland, schools and other community infrastructure.
"Ensuring people have the ability to eat well and exercise by walking, riding or catching public transport is one way to proactively deal with the levels of overweight and obesity and chronic diseases."
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