Heart disease costs New Zealand $13.8 billion a year, new report finds

Beyond the human toll, heart disease is costing the New Zealand economy an estimated $13.8 billion annually.

This is the first time that the cost of heart disease has been estimated in New Zealand thanks to a new report, commissioned by The Heart of Aotearoa – Kia Manawanui Trust and prepared by University of Otago.

Trust Chief Executive Ms Letitia Harding says the Government needs to look at the big picture.

“The economic case for investment is clear.

“For every dollar we fail to spend on diagnostics and early intervention, we lose exponentially more in hospital admissions, lost productivity, and early deaths.” 

The $13.8 billion estimate includes costs related to hospitalisations, prescriptions, primary care, premature deaths, and workdays lost.

However, Ms Harding says the figure is conservative, as it does not include emergency department visits, outpatient appointments, or years lost to disability.

“This number doesn’t tell the whole story.

“Heart disease places a far greater burden on the system than the data currently shows, and much of that cost remains hidden.”

Trust Medical Director Dr Sarah Fairley, and Wellington-based cardiologist, says it's a false economy.

“Cutting corners in cardiac care doesn’t save money, it just shifts the burden, and, in the end, it costs more in both lives and dollars.”

The Trust is urging the Government to treat cardiac care as a public health priority and have a dedicated Pharmac fund ringfenced to support ongoing investment into cardiac drugs and devices.