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## Coronary heart disease

Coronary heart disease (CHD) is a result of **narrowing arteries and reduced blood flow to the heart:** this usually starts as **angina**, (pain and discomfort in the heart) and can lead to a **heart attack** overtime.

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in Australia; in 2016 heart disease was responsible for 1 death every 30 minutes.

#### The facts

- The risk of heart disease increases with age.
- Men are at higher risk of heart disease than women.
- Smokers are almost twice as likely to have a heart attack compared with those who have never smoked.
- Being inactive increases the chance of heart disease.
- Carrying excess body fat is a risk factor for heart disease.
- People with diabetes have a higher likelihood of having heart disease.
- Having high blood pressure increases the risk of having a heart attack.
- Lower LDL cholesterol levels can decrease the risk of having a heart attack.

#### The cost of CHD

The majority of specialist charge in excess of the medication schedule benefit fee, increasing the out-of-pocket burden for individuals.

![coronary heart disease cost to care sapience financial](https://www.sapience.com.au/images/cost-to-care/coronary-heart-disease-cost-to-care-sapience-financial.svg)

![out of pocket costs coronary heart disease cost to care sapience financial](https://www.sapience.com.au/images/cost-to-care/out-of-pocket-costs-coronary-heart-disease-cost-to-care-sapience-financial.svg)