Cardiovascular Disease
Cardiovascular disease, including heart disease, stroke and blood vessel disease, is the leading cause of death and disability in Australia, claiming the lives of 50,294 people in 2002, or 38% of all deaths.
Around 3.67 million Australians are affected by cardiovascular disease, and
1.10 million Australians are disabled long-term by cardiovascular disease (Source: AIHW 2004).
The total burden of heart, stroke and vascular diseases is expected to
increase over the coming decades due to the growing number of elderly
Australians, among whom these diseases are most common. The Menzies Research Institute is working to find new ways to prevent and treat cardiovascular disease.
Some examples of research projects within the Cardiovascular Disease research theme at the Menzies Research Institute:
Childhood Determinants of Adult Health (CDAH)
The CDAH study is a follow-up of 8,498 children who participated in the Australian Schools Health and Fitness Survey (ASHFS) in 1985 when they were aged between seven and 15 years. Extensive measures of body composition, fitness and lifestyle were recorded in 1985 and have been collected again at follow-up 20 years later. The study aims to examine associations between childhood factors and risk factors for cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes in adulthood. Associations between childhood factors and adult mental health and bone health will also be explored.
The study achieved a major milestone in 2006 with the completion of data collection. In total, 2,410 participants attended clinics around Australia for physical measurements and a further 1,585 participants completed telephone interviews or postal questionnaires. Blood samples have been tested and additional samples frozen for future studies. Data analysis is underway with a number of papers appearing in scientific journals and many more submitted for publication.
For more in-depth information on this study and its progress, go to the CDAH website.
- For more information, contact:
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- Associate Professor Alison Venn
- Deputy Director
- Telephone: (03) 6226 7706
Salt Skip Program
The Salt Skip Program provides a comprehensive collection of practical
literature to make it easier for Tasmanian adults to follow the Australian
Dietary Guidelines, with special attention to the salt guideline.
The salt guideline was designed primarily to prevent hypertension, but
is needed also to treat patients who would like to regain a normal blood
pressure without drugs -- or with a lower dose (and less side effects)
than they would otherwise need.
Patients need the salt guideline also to treat over a dozen other salt-related
health problems, especially prehypertension and the severe vertigo of
Meniere's Disorder, which usually responds dramatically without drugs
or surgery.
Prehypertension (blood pressure 120/80 and over) is one of Australia's
most neglected opportunities for preventive medicine. It doubles the risk
of hypertension, and affects over 3 million Australians (25% of the adult
population).
Honorary Senior Research Fellow, Dr Trevor Beard, helps patients to follow
the Dietary Guidelines for Australian Adults, focusing on salt intake.
The Program has steadily increased the choice of food available to these
patients through liaison with local caterers and with the Australian food
industry at manufacturing, wholesale and retail levels.
In recognition for his work with the Salt Skip Program at the Menzies
Research Institute Dr Beard was named Senior Australian of the Year 2006
for Tasmania.
Visit the websites www.saltmatters.org
and www.lowsaltrecipes.info
for more information on salt and how to control your salt intake.
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- For more information, contact:
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- Dr Trevor Beard
- Honorary Senior Research Fellow
- Telephone: (03) 6226 7708
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