Cardiovascular disease in Australia

According to the Australian heart disease statistics, heart disease is a major cause of death in Australia (Nichols, 2014). Heart disease is an overall term used for any type of heart disorder that affects the heart reducing blood supply to the heart. It is also often referred as Cardiac disease and Coronary heart disease. It is generally a lifelong condition where damage to the artery and blood vessel cannot be cured (Bishop, 2010).

Types of heart disease

There are number of conditions that involves the heart such as:

Heart failure – damaged heart muscles, therefore, it becomes too weak to pump blood to the body (Newton & Joyce, 2012, p. 74).
Coronary heart disease – when plaques deposits in the coronary artery narrowing the artery reducing the flow of blood to the heart muscle (Newton & Joyce, 2012, p. 75)
Stroke – blocked blood vessel in the brain resulting in the brain tissues not receive oxygen (Newton & Joyce, 2012, p. 76)
Myocardial infarction (heart attack) – blockage in the arteries that completely blocks the blood flow to the heart (Newton & Joyce, 2012, p. 76)
Peripheral vascular disease – the flow of blood supply is slow or absent in veins and arteries in the limbs (Newton & Joyce,2012, p. 72)

Symptoms

According to Chenzbraun (2010), symptoms of the heart disease varies, and should not be ignored. The symptoms of heart disease are not alway intense and varies according to factors such as age and gender. The most common symptoms of heart disease is:

Chest pain – uncomfortable sensation of pressure in the chest often entered under the breastbone.
Dizziness – loss of consciousness
Fatigue – feeling tired at all time (mostly among women)
Nausea – swelling in the abdominal area can interfere resulting in lack of appetite.
Shortness of breath – irregular pulse and skip of heartbeat
Swelling – accumulation of fluids in the body causing the feet, abdomen and leg to swell.

Risk factors

Smoking

This is a major risk factor of heart disease resulting in death. The rate of smoking is low in Australia according to the health survey: 14% of women and 18% of men being daily smokers (Nichols, 2014).

Physical inactivity

58% of Australians lack physical activity. Those who undertake low levels of physical activity are at higher risk of developing heart disease. Men were classified as moderately active than women (Nichols & Peterson, 2014).

Excessive alcohol consumption

Alcohol plays a huge role in Australian culture and its social circumstance. According to the Australian Bureau of statistics, 87.6% of males and 77.3% of females had consumed alcohol in the past year. Alcohol consumed at a limit, reduces the risk of developing heart disease.

Overweight

Being overweight and obese is very common in Australia especially children and teens. Almost 69.7% of male and 55.7% of female are overweight. The rate for both men and women of obesity is 27.5% (Australian Bureau of statistics). It is one of the leading cause of heart disease and cardiovascular disease.

High blood pressure

High blood pressure (hypertension) causes stress to the heart and its function that leads to heart disease. Males experience heart disease caused by hypertension than women. One in five Australians with high blood pressure suffers from heart disease (Nichols, 2014).

Prevention

A key step to prevent any type of heart disease is addressing the risk factors. Such as not smoking or use of drugs, regular exercising, have healthy diet, maintain healthy weight and have regular health screening to check up on blood pressure. These lifestyle changes reduces the risk of developing heart disease (Wood & Gordon, 2011).

Treatment

Prescribed medications are given to those suffering to help improve blood flow, low blood pressure and to relax blood vessel walls.

A non-surgical procedure called, Angioplasty, could be done to help dilate the narrowed arteries.

Coronary artery bypass surgery is also another way to treat coronary heart disease.

Although there are treatments available to treat heart disease, it is a lifelong condition restricting some daily lifestyle routine and incurable.

Epidemiology

Heart disease is a very common and serious illness in Australia. In 2007-8 about 3.5 million people were diagnosed with heart disease (especially cardiovascular disease). Although there are significant advances in the treatments, heart disease still remains the lead cause of death in Australia especially with people in lower socioeconomic groups (AIHW, 2011).

References

AIHW. (2011). Cardiovascular disease: Australia facts. Canberra: AIHW Retrieved from http://www.aihw.gov.au
Bishop, T. (2010). Heart disease. Primary Health Care, 20(3), 12.
Chenzbraun, A. (2010). Heart disease. Oxford University Press Retrieved from http://www.eblib.com
Newton, J, T. & Joyce, A, P. (2012). Human perspectives 2AB (6th Ed). Australia & New Zealand: E. Gregory.
Nichols, M., Peterson, K., Alston, L. & Allender, S. (2014). Australian heart disease statistics. Melbourne: National Heart Foundation of Australia.
Wood, J., & Gordon, P. (2011). Preventing heart disease in women: The NP’s role. The Nurse Practitioner. doi: 10.1097/01.NPR.0000410275.21998.b5