Cardiovascular disease (including heart attack and stroke) is the leading cause of death in Australia. Statistics show that 53,000 Australians died of cardiovascular disease in 1996, about 1 death every 10 minutes.

The Cardiology Department at St Vincent's is a Centre of Excellence for the delivery of patient care and research activities. The unit offers a comprehensive clinical service for the diagnosis and management of cardiovascular disease: including diagnostic testing, coronary artery intervention, cardiac surgery and transplantation, management of electrical and rhythm disorders, and cardiac rehabilitation.

The Department actively participates in research programs within the Hospital and with the Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute. The St Vincent's Heart Lung and Vascular Institute is the National Heart Lung Transplantation Centre.