{"id":3065,"date":"2022-11-16T01:58:56","date_gmt":"2022-11-15T14:58:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lifeprogram.org.au\/2022\/11\/16\/cardiovascular-risk\/"},"modified":"2024-02-15T10:09:35","modified_gmt":"2024-02-14T23:09:35","slug":"cardiovascular-risk","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lifeprogram.org.au\/health-hub\/cardiovascular-risk\/","title":{"rendered":"Cardiovascular Risk Calculator Australia"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Do you need a cardiovascular risk calculator in Australia?\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Here are some facts about cardiovascular disease:<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death in Australia. It affects more than 4 million Australians, causing 26% of all deaths (<\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Source: <\/span><\/i><a href=\"https:\/\/www.heartfoundation.org.au\/bundles\/for-professionals\/key-stats-cardiovascular-disease\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Heart Foundation<\/span><\/i><\/a><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">)<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. It\u2019s important to know if you are at risk. The earlier you know, the earlier you can make lifestyle changes to lower your risk; such as eating healthy, exercising and maintaining a healthy weight.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">That\u2019s why the National Vascular Disease Prevention Alliance (NVDPA) created guidelines and a risk calculator to help people find out their risk of cardiovascular disease. With the information you get from this calculator, your doctor can help you prevent CVD.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cvdcheck.org.au\/calculator\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">CVD Risk Calculator<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The National Vascular Disease Prevention Alliance (NVDPA) is a group of health related organisations including the:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">National Stroke Foundation<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Diabetes Australia<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Kidney Health Australia<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">National Heart Foundation of Australia<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The goal of this group is to reduce cardiovascular disease in Australia.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What is cardiovascular disease?\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cardiovascular disease is a term for a range of diseases that affect the heart as well as the large network of blood vessels in the body. These conditions include:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Heart disease and atherosclerosis<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Stroke<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Peripheral vascular disease<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Childhood heart disease<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you are looking for statistics about heart, stroke and vascular diseases in Australia, you can find them here:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.aihw.gov.au\/reports-data\/health-conditions-disability-deaths\/heart-stroke-vascular-diseases\/reports\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) report<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.abs.gov.au\/ausstats\/abs@.nsf\/Lookup\/by%20Subject\/4364.0.55.001~2017-18~Main%20Features~Heart,%20stroke%20and%20vascular%20disease~55\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">National Health Survey<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What is a cardiovascular risk calculator?<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A cardiovascular risk calculator is a tool used to find out if you are at a high risk of cardiovascular disease over the next five years (<\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Source: <\/span><\/i><a href=\"https:\/\/www.heartfoundation.org.au\/bundles\/for-professionals\/cvd-risk-calculator\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Heart Foundation<\/span><\/i><\/a><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">)<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It figures out your risk by examining multiple factors that help predict a heart attack or a stroke event in a five year time period.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A cardiovascular risk calculation is part of what is called a heart health check. This is a Medicare supported 20 minute check you can take with your doctor that includes:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Gathering information about your potential risk for CVD\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Figuring out your absolute CVD risk using a validated calculator\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you have a risk for CVD, helping you manage that risk on an ongoing basis<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The cardiovascular risk calculator was created using the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/informme.org.au\/Guidelines\/Guidelines-for-the-assessment-and-management-of-absolute-CVD-risk\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Australian Guidelines for the management of absolute cardiovascular disease risk<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> \u2013 a series of guidelines created by the NVDPA to inform the diagnosis of cardiovascular diseases.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"content-banner -half-image\">\n    <div class=\"-text\">\n        <h2 class=\"-eyebrow-heading\"><\/h2>\n        <h3 class=\"-large-heading\">Join the free <em>Life!<\/em> program today and reduce your risk of cardiovascular diseases!<\/h3>\n        <div class=\"-button\">\n            <a\n                href=\"#health-check\"\n                class=\"button\"\n            >Check if you are eligible<\/a>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n    <div class=\"-image\">\n        <img decoding=\"async\"\n            src=\"https:\/\/lifeprogram.org.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/CVD-calculator-image-scaled.jpg\"\n            alt=\"CVD calculator banner-image\"\n        \/>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How does the cardiovascular risk calculator work?<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The cardiovascular risk calculator works by collecting your specific details, including;<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Gender<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Age (35-74 years)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Systolic Blood Pressure (75 or more mmHg)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Smoking Status (i.e. whether you are currently smoking or have quit in the past year)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Total Cholesterol (mmol\/L)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">High Density Lipoprotein (HDL) Cholesterol (mmol\/L)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Whether or not you have diabetes<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">ECG in Left Ventricular Hypertrophy (whether you have it, don\u2019t have it or are unsure)<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Once these details are taken, the calculator compiles a score that finds out your likelihood for cardiovascular disease over the course of the next five years. This score is either:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&lt; 10% for low risk<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">10-15% for moderate risk<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&gt; 15% for high risk<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">(<\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Source: <\/span><\/i><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cvdcheck.org.au\/calculator\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">CVD Check<\/span><\/i><\/a><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">)<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What are the CVD Risk guidelines?<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The CVD risk guidelines are a document written by the NVDPA that outline:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How best to figure out your CVD risk<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What CVD risks mean for you<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What courses of treatment to help you manage CVD risks<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As mentioned previously, there are three levels of CVD risk; low risk, moderate risk and high risk.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Low Risk<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You are at low risk if your CVD risk is lower than 10%. (<\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Source: <\/span><\/i><a href=\"https:\/\/www.heartfoundation.org.au\/getmedia\/4342a70f-4487-496e-bbb0-dae33a47fcb2\/Absolute-CVD-Risk-Full-Guidelines_2.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">CVD Absolute Risk Guidelines via Heart Foundation<\/span><\/i><\/a><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">)<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If your risk of CVD is low, your treatment won\u2019t be as extensive. Your doctor probably won\u2019t prescribe you medication. Instead, your doctor will be more likely to provide health and lifestyle advice that helps you maintain healthier habits.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Your absolute risk will also be reviewed less frequently than those with moderate to high risk.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Moderate Risk<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You are at moderate risk if your CVD risk is between 10 and 15%. (<\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Source: <\/span><\/i><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cvdcheck.org.au\/your-risk-score\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">CVD Check<\/span><\/i><\/a><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">)<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Because the moderate risk of CVD is somewhat manageable, it is up to you and your doctor to figure out what your treatment needs to be.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Your doctor will offer you lifestyle advice, as well as potentially prescribe medication (but only if absolutely necessary).\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Because the risk is lower, your CVD risk needs less frequent reviewing than if your risk was high.<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"content-banner -centered-quote\">\n    <h2 class=\"-eyebrow-heading\"><\/h2>\n    <blockquote cite=\"https:\/\/www.huxley.net\/bnw\/four.html\">\n        <p>\n            <svg width=\"0.65em\" height=\"0.65em\" viewBox=\"0 0 17 14\" version=\"1.1\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" xmlns:xlink=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/1999\/xlink\" xml:space=\"preserve\" xmlns:serif=\"http:\/\/www.serif.com\/\" style=\"fill-rule:evenodd;clip-rule:evenodd;stroke-linejoin:round;stroke-miterlimit:2;\">\n                <path d=\"M14.631,6.929L12.156,6.929L12.156,4.949C12.156,3.857 13.044,2.969 14.136,2.969L14.384,2.969C14.795,2.969 15.126,2.638 15.126,2.227L15.126,0.742C15.126,0.331 14.795,0 14.384,0L14.136,0C11.402,0 9.187,2.215 9.187,4.949L9.187,12.373C9.187,13.192 9.852,13.857 10.672,13.857L14.631,13.857C15.451,13.857 16.116,13.192 16.116,12.373L16.116,8.413C16.116,7.594 15.451,6.929 14.631,6.929ZM5.723,6.929L3.248,6.929L3.248,4.949C3.248,3.857 4.136,2.969 5.228,2.969L5.475,2.969C5.887,2.969 6.218,2.638 6.218,2.227L6.218,0.742C6.218,0.331 5.887,0 5.475,0L5.228,0C2.493,0 0.279,2.215 0.279,4.949L0.279,12.373C0.279,13.192 0.944,13.857 1.764,13.857L5.723,13.857C6.542,13.857 7.207,13.192 7.207,12.373L7.207,8.413C7.207,7.594 6.542,6.929 5.723,6.929Z\" style=\"fill:currentColor;fill-rule:nonzero;\"\/>\n            <\/svg>\n            <span>\"The <em>Life!<\/em> program taught me how to take care of ME! I have dropped 4 dress sizes. My skin is great and I feel amazing with lots of energy! \"<\/span>\n            <svg width=\"0.6em\" height=\"0.6em\" viewBox=\"0 0 16 14\" version=\"1.1\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" xmlns:xlink=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/1999\/xlink\" xml:space=\"preserve\" xmlns:serif=\"http:\/\/www.serif.com\/\" style=\"fill-rule:evenodd;clip-rule:evenodd;stroke-linejoin:round;stroke-miterlimit:2;\">\n                <path d=\"M1.484,6.929L3.958,6.929L3.958,8.908C3.958,10 3.071,10.888 1.979,10.888L1.731,10.888C1.32,10.888 0.989,11.219 0.989,11.63L0.989,13.115C0.989,13.527 1.32,13.857 1.731,13.857L1.979,13.857C4.713,13.857 6.928,11.643 6.928,8.908L6.928,1.485C6.928,0.665 6.263,0 5.443,0L1.484,0C0.664,0 -0.001,0.665 -0.001,1.485L-0.001,5.444C-0.001,6.264 0.664,6.929 1.484,6.929ZM10.392,6.929L12.867,6.929L12.867,8.908C12.867,10 11.979,10.888 10.887,10.888L10.64,10.888C10.228,10.888 9.897,11.219 9.897,11.63L9.897,13.115C9.897,13.527 10.228,13.857 10.64,13.857L10.887,13.857C13.621,13.857 15.836,11.643 15.836,8.908L15.836,1.485C15.836,0.665 15.171,0 14.351,0L10.392,0C9.572,0 8.907,0.665 8.907,1.485L8.907,5.444C8.907,6.264 9.572,6.929 10.392,6.929Z\" style=\"fill:currentColor;fill-rule:nonzero;\"\/>\n            <\/svg>\n        <\/p>\n        <cite>Pili, a <em><em>Life!<\/em><\/em> program participant - <a href=\"\"><\/a><\/cite>\n    <\/blockquote>\n    <div class=\"-button\">\n        <a\n            href=\"#health-check\"\n            class=\"button\"\n        >Take a 2-min health check<\/a>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">High Risk<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You are at high risk if your CVD risk is higher than 15%. (<\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Source: <\/span><\/i><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cvdcheck.org.au\/your-risk-score\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">CVD Check<\/span><\/i><\/a><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">)<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Due to the higher risk of CVD, the treatments designated in the guides are more hands on. Your doctor will help support you to adopt lifestyle choices such as eating healthy, stopping smoking and avoiding alcohol.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The doctor might also prescribe you medication in order to lower lipids as well as your blood pressure.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Because of the high risk present, it is important that your CVD risk is reviewed regularly.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What kinds of treatments are recommended, depending on risk?<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There are multiple treatments that your doctor can use in order to address your potential CVD risk, as outlined in the CVD guidelines.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">These guidelines focus on four factors for treatment:<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Lifestyle<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The healthier your lifestyle (i.e. diet, exercise, etc.), the lower your likelihood of developing CVD.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you are high risk, your doctor will:<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Offer you frequent and sustained specific advice and support for diet and exercise<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Give advice and support to help you stop smoking<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Offer advice and may prescribe medication to reduce your blood pressure and lipids<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you are moderate risk, your doctor will:<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Give you specific, but less frequent advice and support regarding diet and exercise<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Give advice and support to help you stop smoking<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Give you lifestyle advice, while only prescribing medication if absolutely necessary<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you are low risk, your doctor will:<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Give you brief, general advice and support regarding diet and exercise<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Give advice and support to help you stop smoking<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Medication<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sometimes, you need medical intervention in order to lower your CVD risk.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you are high risk, your doctor may prescribe medications that lower both your lipids and blood pressure<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you are moderate risk, it is unlikely that your doctor will prescribe medication, only doing so under any of the following circumstances;<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If 3-6 months of a healthy lifestyle fails to lower your CVD risk<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If your blood pressure is persistently higher than or equal to 160\/100 mmHg<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you have a family history of premature CVD<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you are part of a specific population where a CVD calculator underestimates your risk (i.e. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, South Asian, Maori and Pacific Islanders, Middle Eastern, etc.)<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you are low risk, your doctor will only prescribe medication in the event that your blood pressure is persistently higher than or equal to 160\/100 mmHg<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Targets<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Targets give you specific goals to strive towards in order to improve your lifestyle. These targets don\u2019t change based on your CVD risk.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Instead, these targets may include:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Blood pressure levels\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Lifestyle habits such as:<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Stopping smoking<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Diet rich in fruit and vegetables (also low in salt, saturated fats and trans fats)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">At least 30 mins moderate intensity exercise daily<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Limited alcohol intake<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Monitoring<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Monitoring describes how often the doctor needs to check your CVD risk to make sure that the treatments measured above are working and your targets are being met.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you are high risk, the doctor will rely on clinical context to determine when to examine you for your CVD risk<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you are moderate risk, your absolute CVD risk will be reviewed every 6-12 months<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you are at a low risk, your absolute CVD risk will be reviewed every 2 years<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How can the <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><em>Life!<\/em><\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> program help me reduce my risk of cardiovascular disease?<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In addition to using the cardiovascular risk calculator, you can use the <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><em>Life!<\/em> <\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">program\u2019s <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/lifeprogram.org.au\/#health-check\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">health check<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, a short test that helps calculate your risk for cardiovascular disease. The <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><em>Life!<\/em> <\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">program also helps you improve your lifestyle so that you can reduce your risk of cardiovascular disease.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><em>Life!<\/em><\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is a free healthy lifestyle program that helps you improve your eating habits, increase your physical activity and manage stress. You can choose from a group course or the telephone health coaching service.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Our experienced health professionals will help you make small changes to your lifestyle so that you can achieve your health goals and reduce your risk of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><em>Life!<\/em><\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> program is funded by the Victorian government and managed by Diabetes Victoria. You can check your eligibility for the program <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/lifeprogram.org.au\/learn-about-life\/#am-i-eligible\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">here<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a class=\"button teal\" href=\"#health-check\">Take the health check<\/a><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sources<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.heartfoundation.org.au\/bundles\/for-professionals\/key-stats-cardiovascular-disease\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">https:\/\/www.heartfoundation.org.au\/bundles\/for-professionals\/key-stats-cardiovascular-disease<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.heartfoundation.org.au\/getmedia\/4342a70f-4487-496e-bbb0-dae33a47fcb2\/Absolute-CVD-Risk-Full-Guidelines_2.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">https:\/\/www.heartfoundation.org.au\/getmedia\/4342a70f-4487-496e-bbb0-dae33a47fcb2\/Absolute-CVD-Risk-Full-Guidelines_2.pdf<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.heartfoundation.org.au\/bundles\/for-professionals\/cvd-risk-calculator\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">https:\/\/www.heartfoundation.org.au\/bundles\/for-professionals\/cvd-risk-calculator<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.heartfoundation.org.au\/bundles\/for-professionals\/fp-absolute-risk-heart-health-checks\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">https:\/\/www.heartfoundation.org.au\/bundles\/for-professionals\/fp-absolute-risk-heart-health-checks<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/strokefoundation.org.au\/what-we-do\/prevention-programs\/position-and-submissions\/alliances\/nvdpa-alliance\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">https:\/\/strokefoundation.org.au\/what-we-do\/prevention-programs\/position-and-submissions\/alliances\/nvdpa-alliance<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cvdcheck.org.au\/calculator\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">https:\/\/www.cvdcheck.org.au\/calculator<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.health.gov.au\/health-topics\/chronic-conditions\/what-were-doing-about-chronic-conditions\/what-were-doing-about-cardiovascular-conditions\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">https:\/\/www.health.gov.au\/health-topics\/chronic-conditions\/what-were-doing-about-chronic-conditions\/what-were-doing-about-cardiovascular-conditions<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.heartfoundation.org.au\/getmedia\/4342a70f-4487-496e-bbb0-dae33a47fcb2\/Absolute-CVD-Risk-Full-Guidelines_2.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">https:\/\/www.heartfoundation.org.au\/getmedia\/4342a70f-4487-496e-bbb0-dae33a47fcb2\/Absolute-CVD-Risk-Full-Guidelines_2.pdf<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>Reviewers<\/strong>:<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/lifeprogram.org.au\/elleni-kaias\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Elleni Kaias<\/a>, Accredited Practicing Dietitian | Primary Care Engagement Lead<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/lifeprogram.org.au\/kristie-cocotis\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Kristie Cocotis<\/a>, Head of Prevention and Health Promotion<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/sarah-dub%C3%A9-57861660\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Sarah <\/a><span class=\"TextRun SCXW248055663 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-AU\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW248055663 BCX0\">Dub\u00e9, Strategy and Engagement Lead<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/au.linkedin.com\/in\/ria-cheripuram\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Ria Cheripuram<\/a>, Digital Communications Officer<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/au.linkedin.com\/in\/tegankohlman\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Tegan Kohlman<\/a>, Communications and Social Marketing Officer<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Do you need a cardiovascular risk calculator in Australia?\u00a0 Here are some facts about cardiovascular disease: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death in Australia. It affects more than 4 million Australians, causing 26% of all deaths (Source: Heart Foundation). It\u2019s important to know if you are at risk. The earlier you know, the earlier you can make&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":9,"featured_media":3066,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[7],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3065","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-article"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lifeprogram.org.au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3065","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lifeprogram.org.au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lifeprogram.org.au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lifeprogram.org.au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/9"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lifeprogram.org.au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3065"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/lifeprogram.org.au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3065\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3788,"href":"https:\/\/lifeprogram.org.au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3065\/revisions\/3788"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lifeprogram.org.au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/3066"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lifeprogram.org.au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3065"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lifeprogram.org.au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3065"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lifeprogram.org.au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3065"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}