Diabetes, Heart Disease, High Blood Pressure & Stroke

500f cardiovascular disease cannot be diagnosed by current methods

RetVic research into a potential new biomarker based on retinal imaging

This allows prediction of diabetes, stroke, heart disease and hypertension independent of conventional risk factors

Prof. Tien Wong, Centre for Eye Research Melbourne

Fundus Photos

Checking retinal photos of your eyes using sophisticated computer analysis will help determine your risk of life threatening conditions.

Cardiovascular Health

The direct health system costs of cardiovasular disease (CVD) are estimated at $7.6 billion in 2004 (110f total health spending).

On current trends, they will reach $11.5 billion by 2011.

Hospital inpatient costs ($2.7bn) and pharmaceuticals ($1.7bn) dominate the profile followed by residential aged care ($639m).

Heart Disease remains the most costly single condition ($1.8bn), with stroke second (now over $1bn) and heart failure likely to be of similar magnitude.

Indirect financial costs incurred due to CVD are conservatively estimated as $6.6 billion in 2004.