Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a significant public health concern in Australia, with potentially devastating effects on individuals and a substantial burden on the healthcare system [1]. In 2021, CVD led to approximately 600,000 hospitalisations and 42,700 deaths, costing the Australian healthcare system an estimated $5 billion annually [1, 3, 7]. Public health initiatives have focused on CVD risk factors, including age, blood pressure, cholesterol levels, smoking, physical activity, alcohol intake, and nutrition [6, 8-11].

Without changes to current CVD care models and increased focus on prevention, it is projected that by 2029, almost 1.4 million Australians will experience a cardiac event, leading to up to 400,000 CVD-related deaths and a cumulative cost exceeding $140.65 billion [10].

In response, Novartis Pharmaceuticals, in collaboration with other organisations, has co-designed a new CVD management model in Australia. The model, developed in consultation with leading cardiologists and a General Practitioner advisory committee, emphasises three key principles: More Testing (TEST), Better Treatment (TREAT), and Better Follow-Up Care (TRACK). The model shifts the focus from treating CVD disease to prevention.

An impact assessment, following the Guidelines for the management of absolute cardiovascular disease risk, estimated the costs associated with the Test, Treat, and Track stages. The new model of care, despite potentially having a high initial cost, is projected to generate over $3 billion in value, representing savings shared between individuals at increased risk of CVD and the Australian Government. This underscores the wide-ranging benefits of investing in early identification of CVD risk and supporting treatment adherence, not only for individuals but for society as a whole [11].