Stroke Foundation and Heart Foundation have strengthened their partnership with a new collaborative agreement to help prevent cardiovascular disease with a current focus on tackling high blood pressure (also known as hypertension) - the nation's leading risk factor for preventable deaths.
The agreement commits the two leading Australian cardiovascular health charities to continue supporting the work of the National Hypertension Taskforce, which was established in 2022 with the goal of addressing the growing burden of high blood pressure by 2030.
High blood pressure affects around one in three Australian adults (6.8 million people) and is responsible for approximately 25,000 avoidable deaths every year. Known as a 'silent killer', high blood pressure damages the body's blood vessels, leading to poorer circulation, higher risk of stroke, heart disease and organ damage. Currently in Australia, only around half of adults with high blood pressure know they have it, and only one in three have the blood pressure controlled effectively.
Stroke Foundation Chief Executive Officer Dr Lisa Murphy emphasised the importance of this collaborative agreement for improving cardiovascular health outcomes in Australia.
"High blood pressure is the biggest modifiable risk factor for stroke, heart disease and kidney disease, as well as dementia. By working together on evidence-based initiatives to improve prevention, detection and treatment of high blood pressure and lipids, we can reduce this risk and improve health outcomes for millions of Australians, as well as save thousands of lives every year," Dr Murphy said.
"With only 32 percent of Australians achieving adequate blood pressure control at present, a collaborative sector approach is now needed more than ever to support the National Hypertension Taskforce's efforts to raise blood pressure control to 70 percent by 2030 in Australia", Dr Murphy added.
Heart Foundation Chief Executive Officer David Lloyd said the new collaborative agreement with Stroke Foundation represents a significant step in helping reduce the burden of cardiovascular chronic disease in Australia.
"With high blood pressure being a major risk factor for heart disease and stroke, we are delighted to be continuing this vital work for the National Hypertension Taskforce alongside our colleagues at Stroke Foundation. This is a big issue facing Australia: it's estimated that 1 in 3 adults have high blood pressure. The work of the Taskforce has never been more important when it comes to helping future generations avoid debilitating heart attacks and strokes," Mr Llloyd said.
