Kidney deaths surge as fatal heart attacks decline
The number of Australians dying from kidney disease has surged almost 150% in a decade, while deaths from heart problems have plummeted.
Experts say there has been a shift in common causes of death, as the population ages and successful public heath initiatives see many Australians avoid fatal heart attacks.
The trend has also exposed a lack of public spending to raise awareness and focus General Practice treatment on kidney health, says Dr Tim Mathew, who is medical director of Kidney Health Australia.
Latest mortality data shows diseases of the kidney and urinary tract jumped to tenth spot among the nation’s leading causes of death, responsible for the deaths of 3,230 people in 2007.
At the same time, cardiovascular-linked deaths dropped 125% over the decade.
