THE WIDER Ballarat region tops the state for critical heart attacks.
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New data mapped by the Heart Foundation reveals Ballarat has Victoria’s highest rates of hospital admissions for STEMI heart attack, which are those caused by a significant or complete coronary artery block and a large part of the heart muscle is unable to receive blood.
Data for Ballarat also takes in outer lying towns such as Creswick, Daylesford, Ballan and Maryborough.
Ballarat has been deemed the state’s worst place for cardiovascular disease in a snapshot of Australian heart health by the Heart Foundation two years ago. The region was second in the nation only to New South Wales’ Southern Highlands.
Looking at heart-related conditions alone, the wider Ballarat region ranks 10th in Victoria for hospital admissions, including heart attack, heart failure and angina.
Ballarat has lower rates of chronic heart conditions, like angina and heart failure, which usually lead to more hospital admissions throughout the year.
Heart Foundation Victoria has based its Heart Week campaign in Ballarat the past two years to increase heart health awareness. This year, the campaign included a pub intervention, with participating sports clubs and bars offering a heart-tick approved meal on the menu, readily-available water and removing salt shakers.
New data maps showed regional Victorians were more likely to be admitted to hospital for heart-related conditions than inner-city Melbourne dwellers.
Shepparton and Bendigo topped the list for the most heart-related hospital admissions in the state. Warrnambool and the South-West region was ranked seventh.
Heart Foundation Victoria chief executive officer Kellie-Ann Jolly said there were great challenges across the state, in terms of inequality, but all Victorians should be entitled to services that prevent heart disease and identify those most at risk of heart disease.
“What we need is a greater focus on prevention and management of heart disease in regional Victoria and in areas of disadvantage,” Ms Jolly said.
