Heart disease explained (a beginner’s guide)

Heart disease, also called cardiovascular disease (cardio, meaning heart), affects Aboriginal people and communities to a greater extent than their non-Indigenous counterparts. It also affects Aboriginal people at a younger age.

Cardiovascular disease refers to any of the conditions affecting the heart or blood supply around the body, and it leads to not enough oxygen getting around our bodies.

There are many strategies or things we can do to live better and support communities to reduce the amount of cardiovascular disease among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. By doing this we can help people live longer, and feel better.

This module goes over the basics of cardiovascular disease and practical tips to support family, friends and community members.  

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At the end of this module participants will be able to:

• Define cardiovascular disease.
• Identify the main conditions covered when we refer to cardiovascular disease.
• Understand the impact of cardiovascular disease on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
• Describe some of the risk factors for cardiovascular disease.
• Identify some of the healthy behaviours which help prevent or manage cardiovascular disease.
• Explain why social and emotional health can affect rates and impact of cardiovascular disease.

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