Boost for awareness of heart disease signs

Projects aimed at preventing Australians from experiencing cardiovascular disease, or helping them if they do, are receiving new federal government funding.

Heart Disease

About 100,000 Australians experienced a heart attack or stroke in 2017. (AAP)

Australians will soon be more aware of the signs people are experiencing strokes and heart attacks, the federal government hopes.

That's why it is giving $800,000 to the Stroke Foundation to continue an awareness campaign raising awareness of the symptoms.

Activities to help Australians recover after a stroke or heart attack will also be funded to the tune of $1.7 million.

The commitments are part of a $4 million package targeted at the conditions, set to be rolled out over four years.

"These measures will save and protect lives," Health Minister Greg Hunt said.

Guidelines that help Australians determine a person's risk of cardiovascular disease will also be updated, through $500,000 in funding.

Initiatives focused on supporting people at risk of experiencing heart disease or a stroke will receive $1 million.

About 100,000 Australians experienced a heart attack or stroke in 2017, with cardiovascular disease the underlying cause of 43,500 deaths.

Mr Hunt is also due to make a separate commitment on Thursday to spend $6.8 million over four years on improving the understanding and management of pain by individuals and health professionals.


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Source: AAP

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