Health minister Greg Hunt has announced the government will fund the development of a national plan for heart disease and stroke.
Under the plan, the National Heart Foundation of Australia has received $170,000 to develop a National Strategic Action Plan, with assistance from the National Stroke Foundation.
Heart disease is the single leading cause of death in Australia. More than a quarter of all deaths in Australia each year having heart disease as an underlying cause. In 2016, the underlying cause of death in 43,963 people was cardiovascular disease.
Stroke is also one of Australia’s biggest causes of mortality, killing more women than breast cancer and more men than prostate cancer, and is a leading cause of disability.
56,000 Australians experienced a stroke in 2017.
"These conditions take a tremendous toll on individuals, families and friends and this national strategic action plan will recommend a way forward and assist the realisation of better outcomes for patients," said health minister Greg Hunt.
"It will guide and direct the measures we need take to improve awareness, understanding, diagnosis and treatment of heart conditions and stroke in our community.
"The Heart Foundation does a great job in our community raising awareness, conducting research and promoting ways to help all Australians to look after their heart. I look forward to receiving the action plan."