National cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk guidelines recommend population-level screening and pharmacotherapy for high-risk individuals. There is no validated system for surveillance of up-to-date risk factor measurement and treatment. This study evaluated an existing health analytics system as a potential CVD surveillance system.

In a single Primary Health Network, Primary Sense health analytics system was evaluated as a CVD surveillance system. Errors were identified and corrected. Numbers of patients within different risk groups were identified, and proportions on appropriate therapy were reported.

Data transfer from general practice electronic medical record systems to Primary Sense was correct, but errors were found regarding implementation of Australian CVD guidelines. Following corrections, out of a population of 254,357 individuals, 87,487 (34%) were eligible for CVD risk assessment. Of these, 4,199 (5%) had pre-existing CVD, 5,124 (6%) were clinically determined high-risk and 42,132 (54%) had no risk score available. Of those with a risk score available, 2,285 (6%) were high-risk. 11,608 patients had prior CVD, clinically determined high-risk or a high CVD risk score and 6,710 (58%) of these were inadequately treated.

Health analytics systems in current use have the potential to act as surveillance systems to monitor CVD preventive care but require evaluation.