HeartLink tackles cardiovascular disease

ACT Chief Minister and Minister for Health, Katy Gallagher, today launched the HeartLink project pilot at the Wattle Street Medical Practice in O'Connor. The project aims to prevent cardiovascular disease by working closely with general practices to identify people at high risk.

"Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in the ACT and Australia. One in five Australian adults have cardiovascular disease and every hour, more than five Australians die from the disease. It remains the leading cause of death amongst Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, who are 1.3 times as likely to have cardiovascular disease as non-Indigenous Australians," the Chief Minister said.

"In 2007, 31 per cent of all deaths in the ACT were caused by the disease - highlighting just how important it is to target people at risk and put in place a program to reduce this risk.

"That's why I am really pleased that six local General Practices have already joined with the ACT Government to utilise improved models of care to support people at high risk of developing heart disease.

"It's so important for our heart health to maintain a healthy lifestyle - which means eating well and living an active life. This project will see GPs working to identify people at high risk of cardiovascular disease, and offer continued support to these people to address this risk through making positive life changes.

"This project is a collaboration between the ACT Medicare Local, the Heart Foundation ACT and the University of Canberra and I am pleased that the ACT Government can partner with these organisations by providing the funding needed for the project.

"Each of the partners and indeed the six practices, bring specific strengths which will help ensure the project's success, bringing multiple benefits to the community.

"This important project will ensure more Canberrans able to recognise, understand and manage their risks and the ACT health care system will benefit from a healthier and better informed population," the Chief Minister concluded.

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