One in five New Zealand deaths is due to heart disease, new report reveals

Heart disease remains the leading single cause of death in New Zealand, accounting for 20% of all deaths, a new report reveals.

Prepared by the University of Otago for The Heart of Aotearoa – Kia Manawanui Trust, the report identifies five key heart conditions responsible for the majority of fatalities: heart failure, atrial fibrillation and flutter (AFF), acute myocardial infarction (AMI), subsequent myocardial infarction, and cardiomyopathy.

Trust Chief Executive Ms Letitia Harding says we cannot afford to be complacent about heart disease.

“It remains one of the top killers in New Zealand, and too many lives are lost because we aren’t doing enough to tackle it.”

These conditions can often be managed or prevented with early detection and proper treatment, but this is not happening consistently across the country, she says.

“We’re seeing significant variation in access to timely diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up care – variation that simply shouldn’t exist when we’re dealing with something this common and this deadly.”

Trust Medical Director Dr Sarah Fairley, and Wellington-based cardiologist, says the current system is under immense pressure and struggling to meet demand in many areas.

“We know these conditions, and we know how to treat them.

“The problem is the system doesn’t have the capacity, time, or staff to provide consistent, effective care nationwide.”

The Trust is calling for immediate investment into cardiac care, with clear targets for echo waiting times, re-hiring of cardiac staff, and dedicated cardiac beds across the at-risk regions.

Ms Harding says this is a long-term issue requiring solutions now. 

“What we need is a nationwide commitment to building a heart health system that is fair, well-resourced, and future-proofed –  and that system needs to deliver equitable cardiac care for all New Zealanders, no matter their age, ethnicity, or where they live.”