Funding boost to heart health

The Federal Government is providing $33.6 million in funding for 41 vital cardiovascular research projects vis the Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF).

The funding announcement was made on World Heart Day (29 September) and has been welcomed by the Heart Foundation’s CEO David Lloyd who says the funding will support Australia’s greatest cardiovascular minds to continue groundbreaking and lifesaving work.

“The Heart Foundation has led the fight against heart disease in Australia for more than 60 years and we warmly welcome the Government’s strong investment in cardiovascular research, noting it will continue to build Australia’s reputation for research excellence and innovation while saving and improving the lives of the many thousands of people touched by heart disease every year,” says Mr Lloyd. 

Heart Foundation Chief Medical Adviser, Professor Garry Jennings AO, says that while the announcement is great news, it’s also important for Australians to know they shouldn’t wait for the results of heart research before taking steps towards a healthy heart.

He says that Australians can start taking positive steps by taking the Heart Foundation’s online Heart Age Calculator or by seeing their GP for a Heart Health Check.  

“The Heart Health Check is available for Australians aged 45 and over (30 and over if First Nations) and is a 20-minute consultation with their GP that has so far helped more than 300,000 Australians understand their heart health since it was introduced in 2019,” says Professor Jennings.

“Our Heart Age Calculator is available online for anyone aged 35 and over and it uses a sophisticated algorithm to calculate the probability of a cardiovascular event occurring in the next five years based on your risk factors.

“It is an easy and accessible gateway to a conversation with your GP, should the calculator’s results give you any concern.”