Cardiovascular disease kills an estimated 17.3 million people worldwide each year including over 45,000 Australians. Risk factors for cardiovascular disease include smoking, lack of exercise and poor diet. People may also be predisposed to heart disease due to hereditary conditions such as congenital heart defects, which affect 1 million babies each year.
 
It has long been thought that men are at a higher risk of cardiovascular disease however it is the number one killer of Australian women. In fact, women are 3 times more likely to die of heart disease than breast cancer.
 
September 29th is World Heart Day, to get involved visit http://www.worldheartday2014.com/

Fast Facts

• Cardiovascular disease is the number 1 killer causing 17.3 million deaths per year 
• 1 million babies are born each year with congenital heart defects 
• Heart disease is responsible for 1 in 3 female deaths 
• 1 in 10 school aged children are overweight, a risk factor for heart disease and stroke 
• 600,000 non smokers are killed every year from exposure to second hand smoke
• Smoking causes 10% of cardiovascular disorders
• 15 years after quitting smoking, risk of heart attack is the same as someone who never smoked