New Heart Foundation figures released today reveal the South Australian regions with the highest and lowest rates of heart disease and its risk factors.
The figures show there is a big heart-health divide between South Australians living in Adelaide and those living in regional areas.
They also confirm South Australia's top spot as the least physically active state or territory in the country.
The statistics are part the latest update to the Heart Foundation's Australian Heart Maps – an online tool that allows users to look at data for heart disease deaths, hospitalisations and risk factors at a national, state, regional and LGA level.
The figures show that the state's heart attack hotspots are in the Barossa-Yorke Peninsula-Mid North area and the Outback region, which includes Port Augusta and Port Lincoln and stretches to the western and northern parts of the state.
People living in these two regions are admitted to hospital for heart attack at a rate of 18.9 per 10,000 people. This is above the state average (14.6) and is close to 80 percent higher compared to some parts of the city of Adelaide.
The Barossa-Yorke Peninsula-Mid North region also has the state's highest rate of deaths from coronary heart disease (CHD). This region's mortality rate is 78.3 out of every 100,000 people, well above the state average of 66.1 deaths per 100,000 people.
The state's South-East has the highest rate of stroke hospitalisations – 21.2 people per 10,000, which is more than 40 per cent higher compared to some parts of Adelaide.
Heart Maps also reveal that:
- South Australians are less active than their fellow Australians – a position that has not changed since the previous Heart Maps update in 2018.
- Sixty-nine percent of South Australians do not meet Australian guidelines for physical activity, which is above the national average of 66.1 percent.
- Nine of the state's top 10 physical inactivity hotspots are in regional areas but Adelaide North is the least active region. This region includes the northern, north-east and north-west suburbs, and extends to Gawler.
- About 33 percent of South Australians are obese, which is the second highest rate in the country, behind Tasmania. Adelaide North also has the highest rate of obesity in the state.
The state's south-east region has the highest smoking rate (19.4 per cent) and is also a hotspot for high blood pressure – 23.5 percent of residents in the south-east have high blood pressure which is above the state average of 22.3 percent. The Barossa-Yorke Peninsula- Mid North is a close second (23.4 percent).
Heart Foundation CEO South Australia, Imelda Lynch, says the results highlight a great divide in heart health between communities.
We know that disadvantage is linked to poorer heart health, so it is no surprise that regions with the highest rates of heart disease are also likely to be the most disadvantaged areas.
"We are seeing higher rates of obesity and physical inactivity in these hotspots, which have huge implications for residents' future heart health.
"The new Heart Maps data indicates where we need to focus more attention to reduce heart disease and the risk factors for heart disease. These regions may need more health services, investment in infrastructure and extra support services.
"Unfortunately, there is not a simple solution. What sits behind the data is a complex mix of social and environmental factors, as well as the personal lifestyle choices we make - our diet, whether we exercise or smoke, for example.
We urge governments at all levels to help curb the toll.
The Heart Foundation encourages all South Australian residents to take action to protect their heart health. If you are 45 and over, or from age 30 if you're Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander, talk to your GP about having a Heart Health Check.
View the Australian Heart Maps.
