Cardiovascular disease claims one Australian life every 12 minutes, making it one of the nation’s biggest killers.

The disease affects the heart and the blood vessels, resulting in heart attacks, strokes and even kidney failure.

But the Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute have found a way to identify those at risk of a heart attack.

In a world-first, researchers could potentially prevent heart attacks by getting to the root of the problem – plaque, a fatty material which lifts off inside the blood vessel and causes the attacks.

Professor Bob Graham tells Alan Jones “if we know which ones are going to cause problems, then we can do something”.

“Cardiovascular is the number two cause of death… but the cost is $7.5 billion a year to Australia compared to $5 billion for cancer.

“So it’s a real big problem.”

Click PLAY below to hear the full interview