What is cardiovascular disease?
Cardiovascular diseases include those of the heart, brain and vascular system. Cardiovascular disease is a broad term that describes the many different diseases and conditions that affect the heart and blood vessels.
Cardiovascular disease is a major health problem in Tasmania. Nationally 6.2 per cent of the Australian adult population self-report living with heart, stroke or vascular disease (source: AIHW analysis of ABS 2019, National Health Survey 2017-18). In Tasmania, the rate is higher than all other states and territories with 7.7 per cent of the adult population self-reporting living with heart, stroke or vascular disease.
Cardiovascular diseases are highly preventable. Cardiovascular disease is often associated with lifestyle factors such as smoking, physical inactivity, poor diet, and harmful alcohol consumption. Compared to national averages, Tasmanians are more likely to smoke, have high blood pressure and be overweight. Nationally, more than 80 per cent of adults do not meet physical activity guidelines and Tasmanian data is consistent with this.
Research focus
The research focus of the Cardiovascular Research Flagship is across two priority areas:
Reducing cardiovascular risk
We will reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease for all Tasmanians
Improving cardiovascular outcomes
We will improve outcomes for people who have cardiovascular disease
Who we are
Led by Professor Seana Gall, the Cardiovascular Research Flagship is a multidisciplinary team of internationally recognised researchers with expertise in epidemiology, clinical approaches, and health economics.
Our research leaders (in alphabetical order)
Featured projects
Community members became citizen scientists across Tasmania when they joined the Love Your Heart, Love your Community study. Participants utilised the Heart Foundation's new digital Community Walkability Checklist, and 129 Tasmanians assessed how their neighbourhoods support walking, social connection and access to healthy food.
Love Your Heart, Love your Community research report
This project was funded thanks to the Heart Foundation Australia.
Long COVID, also known as PostAcute Sequelae of COVID19, can lead to ongoing symptoms such as breathlessness, fatigue and heart inflammation long after the initial infection. These longterm effects are now recognised as a significant health burden in Australia and around the world.
PERCEIVEOutreach is a project that aims to deliver a scalable, riskbased, fully remote model of care that can be accessed by people regardless of where they live.
To learn more about this project, please email PERCEIVE-Outreach@utas.edu.au
The Shock Verdict campaign by the Menzies Institute for Medical Research is a public awareness initiative designed to inspire Australians to take lifesaving action when witnessing a cardiac arrest.
Using a dramatic courtroom‑style video featuring the cast of ABC’s Rake, cardiologist Dr Paul MacIntyre, and cardiac arrest survivors, the campaign reinforces a clear, urgent message: recognise a cardiac arrest, call 000, start chest compressions, and use an AE
The Cardiovascular Research Flagship each year holds a Tasmanian Blood Pressure Monitoring Program.
This outreach program aims to raise awareness about hypertension, help individuals learn to manage their blood pressure, and collect anonymous data on blood pressure levels across the state.
The program also supports the international May Measurement Month movement. In recent years, our staff have teamed up with the School of Nursing to offer free blood pressure checks across Tasmania—in areas including like Burnie, Devonport, Kings Meadows, Riverside, Kingston, Sorell, Mornington, Claremont, and central Hobart.
In the news
Read recent media releases from our Cardiovascular Research Flagship:
- Shock Verdict: A Powerful Call to Action for Cardiac Arrest Response
- Tasmanian Study Reveals Higher Stroke Risk in Disadvantaged Communities
- Leading stroke experts to gather in Hobart tomorrow for ANZSOC 2025
- Menzies researchers recognised in NHMRC Research Excellence Awards
- Study provides greater reassurance for people at risk of inherited heart disease.
Governance
A strong governance structure supports the Cardiovascular Research Flagship, through a:
- A Steering Committee - a leadership group from the Tasmanian Cardiovascular Network.
- Our Lived Experience Advisory Group (LEAG) - Tasmanians who either live with, are at high risk of, or care for someone with cardiovascular disease.
Contact us
CVFlagship.Menzies@utas.edu.au
Find out more about cardiovascular health research at Menzies