New Zealand has only one third of the cardiologists needed by international standards. Our report reveals there are just 173.2 full-time equivalent cardiologists nationwide (32.8 per million people), significantly below international best practice of 95 per million.

This critical shortage leads to longer wait times, delayed diagnoses, and preventable deaths.

Half of all heart attack patients in New Zealand are not seen within the international standard timeframe of one hour.

Delays can be deadly, and our report highlights that Māori and Pacific patients are even less likely to receive timely treatment following a heart attack.

Some hospitals also lack sufficient dedicated cardiac beds, causing further delays.

For the first time, our report reveals the full economic impact of heart disease in Aotearoa.

In 2020 alone, heart disease cost New Zealand $538.8m in hospitalisations, $61.9m in prescriptions, $65.2m in primary care visits, $18m in work days lost, and $13.09b from deaths.

Māori and Pacific Peoples die from heart disease 10+ years younger than NZ Europeans.

Māori are five times more likely, and Pacific people are three times more likely, to have cardiomyopathy - a heart muscle disease that can lead to heart failure.

Heart disease hospitalisation and mortality rates are also significantly higher for Māori and Pacific Peoples, and they are less likely to receive timely treatment after a heart attack.