Heart Support Australia & HeartKids join together in a strategic partnership

Heart Support Australia & HeartKids join together in a strategic partnership to strengthen patient and carer support across all ages for those impacted by cardiovascular disease.

·       Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains one of Australia’s biggest killers, affecting one in every six people[1] and accounting for more than 685,000 years[2] of healthy life lost in the past year alone

·       Childhood-onset heart disease (CoHD) is a major health issue nationally, with an estimated 2,400 babies born with a form of congenital heart disease each year and many more developing heart conditions during childhood. It is the most common congenital disorder in newborns affecting up to 1 in 100 births.3

 

Heart Support Australia and HeartKids have joined forces to ensure that all Australians and their families who are impacted with CVD have access to support and education resources across the entire lifespan of an individual.

This partnership aims for both organisations to collaborate and work with one another to raise awareness of CVD including CoHD by ensuring that all Australians are appropriately referred to each other’s support programs or education resources during their respective time in their life.

Heart Support Australia currently run 25+ peer support groups across the country providing valuable support to those adults impacted with heart disease who require longer term support, in addition to overseeing a unique hospital patient visitor program across 15-hospitals in Australian cities providing vital bedside support for those patients in hospital to assist them with their new heart disease diagnosis.

HeartKids provides practical support at every stage of the CoHD journey. With support informed by lived experience, HeartKids offer guidance through key milestones from diagnosis, hospital stays, schooling, and beyond, helping individuals families navigate the healthcare system and access the information and resources they need.

Dr Christian Verdicchio CEO of Heart Support Australia was thankful of this new partnership with HeartKids saying, “Heart Support Australia is so proud to partner and support amazing organisation such as HeartKids and the work they do to support both children and their families during such a difficult time in their lives. What HeartKids do is closely aligned to the work we do at Heart Support Australia where we provide support and educational resources for adults across Australia and therefore this partnership will allow both organisations to promote one another and refer people across our programs to ensure that all Australians no matter of their age in their life can have access to support and education when diagnosed with heart disease”.

Marcus Sandmann CEO of HeartKids stated “We are thrilled to partner with Heart Support Australia to strengthen support for Australians impacted by heart disease across their lifespan. Childhood-onset heart disease is a lifelong condition, and this collaboration ensures that individuals and families who have been supported by HeartKids during their early years can access more vital resources and community connections into adulthood. By working together, we can create a seamless journey of support, education, and advocacy for all Australians living with heart disease.”

For more information about Heart Support Australia or HeartKids visit www.heartsupport.org.au or www.heartkids.org.au

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For all media enquires please contact Heart Support Australia media@heartnet.org.au or HeartKids via their agency Neon Black tessa@neon.black

 

About Heart Support Australia

Heart Support Australia is the peak national body providing support and advocacy for Australians affected by heart disease thru peer support. We are a national consumer organisation providing support, encouragement, and education to heart disease patients and their families.

Established in 1989, our mission is to facilitate the transition from hospital to home and provide ongoing support for heart disease patients in Australia. Our goal is to stop secondary cardiac events and improve the lives of those living with heart disease in Australia.

About HeartKids

HeartKids is Australia’s leading charity supporting people impacted by childhood-onset heart disease (CoHD), providing vital care, advocacy, and connection for children, teens, adults, and their families. For over 40 years, we have worked to provide lifelong support and make a positive difference in the lives of the 250,000 Australians impacted by CoHD.

 


[1] https://www.heartfoundation.org.au/your-heart/evidence-and-statistics/key-stats-cardiovascular-disease

[2] Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. Heart, stroke and vascular disease: Australian facts: Burden https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/heart-stroke-vascular-diseases/hsvd-facts/contents/impacts/burden-of-cvd.

3 https://www.heartkids.org.au/cohd-condition-types/

 

 

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HeartKids CEO Marcus Sandmann with Heart Support Australia CEO Dr Christian Verdicchio

Cholesterol Awareness Week 2024

 

Monday 11 November 2024: This week, leading heart charities unite to help raise awareness of high cholesterol – a condition that affects approximately 2.1 million Australians, with the launch of Australia’s first ever Cholesterol Awareness Week (11-17 November).

Known as the ‘silent disease’ as it often presents with no symptoms, high cholesterol is a critical risk factor for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD), an umbrella term for diseases caused by fatty deposits silently building up in the arteries. If left untreated, ASCVD can lead to heart attacks and strokes, accounting for 85% of all cardiovascular-related deaths worldwide.6

In recent years, ASCVD was the underlying cause of nearly a quarter (45,000) of all deaths in Australia, significantly contributing to the $14.3 billion in healthcare costs attributed to cardiovascular diseases (CVD).

Spearheaded by  Heart Support Australia, Hearts4heart and Heartbeat of Sport, Cholesterol Awareness Week aims to empower all Australians with the knowledge and resources they need to take proactive steps towards managing high cholesterol at both individual and policy levels.

As a crucial first step, the campaign encourages all Australians to speak to their doctor to understand their personal risks of high cholesterol.

“We all have it, we all need it— but concerningly, most Australians have limited understanding of what cholesterol is and the true impact it can have on our heart health,” said Tanya Hall, CEO and founder of Hearts4heart. “High cholesterol and ASCVD can be prevented and managed. The key is in early detection, so we urge all Australians to be heart smart and speak to their doctor about a heart health check-up, today.”

As part of Cholesterol Awareness Week 2024, free heart screenings will be available to all adults attending the VAILO Adelaide 500, from 14 to 17 November.

“By bringing free heart testing directly to local sports grounds, events and communities, we help people to #KnowYourNumbers and make healthier choices,” said Andy Paschalidis, founder of Heartbeat of Sport.

“We’re thrilled to make heart checks more accessible at community sporting events across Australia, helping to reduce the number of cardiac incidents nationwide.”

Dr Christian Verdicchio, CEO of Heart Support Australia emphasised the importance of the simple steps all Australians can take to prevent heart conditions. “Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death and hospitalisations in the country and it can be prevented by prioritising a simple appointment with your GP or cardiologist,” said Dr Verdicchio. “Many Australians who survive cardiac events wish they had started the conversation sooner. Don’t wait – speak to your healthcare professional today. It could save your life.”

Effective management of high cholesterol and ASCVD often requires changes to lifestyle behaviours, including diet and physical activity, and may involve adherence to medication. As such, regular consultations and open communication between patients and healthcare practitioners are essential for effective management of the condition.
To listen to our CEO being interviewed by SBS during the week click here. www.sbs.com.au/language/samoan/sm/podcast-episode/the-silent-disease-check-your-cholesterol-level/7ypki6z6j
To watch our CEO on Channel 9 News see below. 

Heart Support Australia applauds Minister for Health for PBS listing of Camzyos for Cardiomyopathy

The costs of the two lifesaving heart medicines have been slashed after they were added to the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS).
Previously treatment for the two kinds of heart disorder cardiomyopathy, which together affect around 4800 Australians, could cost patients up to $122,000.
Now patients will only have to pay $31.60 per script, or just $7.70 with a concession card.
Today it was announced that the cost of Camzyos, a treatment for obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy – a kind of heart disease, will be subsidised.
Around 3600 Australians suffer from the disease, Health Minister Mark Butler said.
But the Camzyos manufacturers believe many cases of the disorder could be undiagnosed and under-untreated.
More than 60,000 Australians, or one in 400 people, could be living with the heart disorder, the Camzyos manufacturers Bristol Myers Squibb said.
The disease causes the heart muscle to become thicker and less flexible, making it harder for the heart to fill and pump blood.
Without the newly added government subsidy, Camzyos could cost patients around $30,000 per year of treatment.
Now that they have been listed on the PBS, eligible patients will be able to pay only the cost of the script, instead of the massive upfront cost for the treatment.
Heart Support Australia chief executive Dr Christian Verdicchio welcomed the new government subsidy.
“To date, there have been limited medical treatment options for this disease,” he said.
“Knowing Australians now have access to a new treatment option is important news for this patient group”.
Tafamadis (also known as Vyndamax), another of the newly listed drugs, is used to treat transthyretin amyloid cardiomyopathy – a rare heart disease that can present as shortness of breath and fatigue.
Around 1200 Australians are affected by the disease, which can lead to heart failure if left untreated.
The newly listed treatment works by slowing the progression of the disease, and preventing a build-up of thickened heart muscles.
The lifesaving drug had its cost cut from $122,000 for a year of treatment on May 1.
“It’s vitally important that Australians have ready and affordable access to the latest treatments,” Federal Health Minister Mark Butler said.
“By listing Vyndamax and Camzyos on the PBS we’re giving patients and their doctors new options for treatment at an affordable price.
 “It’s part of the Albanese Government’s commitment to keep medicines cheaper for Australians.”
 
For the full article by 9News click here below.

 
 

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