Cardiovascular Disease is a major cause of death in Australia; responsible for causing around one in four (24%) of all deaths (1). In Western Sydney, many people face significant heart health challenges and have a high chance of developing cardiovascular diseases due to lifestyle factors such as Unhealthy Diet, Physical Activity, Smoking & Excessive Alcohol Consumption.
Many voices in Western Sydney have turned their focus towards highlighting the importance of early detection of CVD. In recent news, a global Commission published in the Lancet has called on the medical profession to change the way it treats coronary artery disease – the most common form of heart disease – encouraging clinicians to shift away from a focus on the late stages of the disease towards early prevention and cure (2).
In further efforts, WentWest commissions the Western Sydney Cardiology program. A collaborative effort designed to improve the early detection of cardiovascular diseases and support the management of heart conditions.
The Western Sydney Cardiology (WSC) program aims to prevent serious illness and reduce the need of hospitalisation for patients with heart conditions. The program works to improve the early detection of cardiovascular diseases (CVD) and support the management of heart conditions such as atrial fibrillation (AF).
This initiative connects primary care with specialists, pharmacists and various health care tools to ensure that cardiology care is delivered at the right time, in the right place, the first time.
Recently National Stroke Week (5-11 August) for 2025 took place. The annual event, headed by the Stroke Foundation, encourages the community to know the early signs of a stroke so that they can save a life.
In 2021, there were an estimated 40,700 stroke events in Australia – around 112 every day (3). This further highlights the importance of knowing the early signs of a stroke.
Primary Care CVD Virtual Roadshow | CVD Prevention Workshop
National Stroke Week highlights the vital role of primary care in preventing stroke and cardiovascular disease (CVD).
As part of this national initiative, the Western Sydney Cardiology Program, in collaboration with Heart Foundation, invites GPs, nurses, and practice teams to a targeted online webinar focused on improving heart and brain health outcomes.
Date: 26 August 2025
Time: 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM
Learn more and register for the webinar here
- Australian Institute of Health and Welfare 2020. Cardiovascular disease.
- Treat heart disease as a lifelong condition, Western Sydney health expert urges, The Pulse
- Australian Institute of Health and Welfare 2024. Heart, stroke and vascular disease: Australian facts