Zurich Financial Services Australia has called for an improvement to the nation’s heart health after releasing a survey showing 50% of Australians are overweight and many of them are at risk of cardiovascular disease.

Zurich last week released results of its inaugural Heart Health Index, which reveal 32% of the survey population are overweight and 18% are rated obese.

The project is a joint venture between Zurich Australia and the Heart Foundation, and was first mooted by CEO David Smith last year.

“As a life insurer, Zurich is regular witness to the tragedy of cardiovascular disease,” Mr Smith said.

The survey shows 51% of overweight people believe their body mass is in line with health guidelines. And 60% of respondents weren’t getting enough physical activity, 91% are not eating enough vegetables and 47% don’t eat enough fruit.

Mr Smith says Zurich intends to go further than simply pay life claims and aims to help the community better understand the risks of cardiovascular disease.