Heart Disease is the Leading Cause of Death in Australia—Here’s Why

Genetics are also a contributor.

In 2020-21, there were 160,000 hospitalisations where CHD was recorded as the principal diagnosis in Australia. Jo Panuwat D/shutterstock

Coronary Heart Disease (CHD)—which is the narrowing or blockage of blood vessels that supply blood to the heart—is the “leading single cause” of disease burden and death in Australia, with many risk factors easily preventable by adopting healthier lifestyles.

In 2020-21 alone, there were 160,000 hospitalisations where CHD was recorded as the principal diagnosis, which is equivalent to 1.4 percent of all hospitalisations, and 27 percent of all cardiovascular disease (CVD) hospitalisations in Australia, according to data from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW).