Cardiovascular disease in Australia

[5] This then made individuals with CVD susceptible to co-morbid conditions later in life, making them "at risk" for depression and anxiety.

The rate of smoking is low in Australia according to the health survey: 14% of women and 18% of men being daily smokers (Nichols, 2014).

Those who undertake low levels of physical activity are at higher risk of developing heart disease.

A key step to prevent any type of heart disease is addressing the risk factors.

[citation needed] Although there are treatments available to treat heart disease, it is a lifelong condition restricting some daily lifestyle routine and incurable.

Although there are significant advances in the treatments, heart disease still remains the lead cause of death in Australia especially with people in lower socioeconomic groups (AIHW, 2011).

[citation needed] One of the studies directed by an Australian-Dutch research team, led by, Karin Jandeleit-Dahm from Harald Schmidt from Maastricht University, Netherlands, has identified the role of an enzyme which accelerates the development of diabetic atherosclerosis.

Researchers were able to substantially reduce the development of artery plaques by suppressing or inhibiting this enzyme with a new drug, which will allow prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disease in people with diabetes.

[citation needed] Another team, led by Bronwyn Kingwell,[10] Head of the Baker Institute's Metabolic and Vascular Physiology, have found a new use for an old drug.