Heart Foundation NZ

05/03/2026

How much do you know about your heat beat?

On Sunday we marked World Pulse Day to highlight the 1 in 3 people who are at risk of developing an abnormal heart rhythm. Arrhythmias, like atrial fibrillation (AF), can lead to further health issues such as strokes and heart failure. If you want to know more about heart rhythm issues, check out this interview with Professor Martin Stiles, a cardiologist at Waikato Hospital and Professor of Medicine at Auckland University. https://hfnz.org/46AVm3O

Nearly one in three of us will develop an abnormal heart rhythm issue in our lifetime. While there is widespread awareness about heart attacks and strokes, cardiac arrhythmias, or irregular heartbeat rhythms are less talked about. A conference this weekend in Auckland and an awareness day on Sunday....

04/03/2026

Ian, who works for the Heart Foundation, didn’t expect to experience a cardiac arrest on his morning bus ride. But thanks to quick-thinking strangers, he survived.

As part of the Big Heart Appeal, Ian bravely shared his experience with 1News, serving a powerful reminder that heart disease can strike anyone, anywhere, at any time, and knowing what to do in an emergency can make all the difference.

👏 We’re incredibly proud of Ian’s courage in telling his story and shining a light on the reality of heart disease in New Zealand.

Read his full story here. https://www.heartfoundation.org.nz/about-us/news/stories/after-a-decade-saving-lives-ian-suddenly-had-to-fight-for-his-own

Ian had left home for work one morning in May 2024 with no sign anything was wrong. Within the hour, he would be in the hospital undergoing emergency treatment.

03/03/2026

It was great to see the Heart Foundation’s Chief Advisor Food and Nutrition, Dave Monro, join Mike Puru on The House of Wellness NZ to discuss heart disease and this year’s Big Heart Appeal.

Dave unpacks practical ways to prevent heart disease and better navigate our heart health through everyday nutrition and lifestyle choices, and how your donations fund life‑saving heart research for Kiwis living with heart disease.

Tap the link to listen to Dave’s full interview. https://hfnz.org/4unOt03

03/03/2026

A big shout-out to ASB Bank for helping make this year’s Big Heart Appeal street collection such a success! ❤️

Thanks to their incredible support, we were able to raise vital funds that will help fund life-saving heart research and keep Kiwi families together for longer.

02/03/2026

We’d like to say a huge thank you to our incredible team of Big Heart Appeal street collection volunteers, our kind-hearted supporters, and everyone who stopped by to donate. Because of you, we’ve been able to raise vital funds to support heart research in New Zealand.

Heart research is a key component in the fight against heart disease. It’s the help of amazing supporters like you that could lead us to the next big breakthrough. Thank you so much ❤️🙏❤️

02/03/2026

Children are at the heart of New Zealand’s future, and on Children’s Day | Te Rā o Ngā Tamariki we’re celebrating every tamaiti and the big impact of small, everyday acts of aroha ❤️

1 March is a special chance to slow down, have fun together and put children and their hearts first – whether that’s a walk or bike ride, cooking a heart-healthy kai together, or simply taking time to listen and kōrero. When we help tamariki to be active, feel loved and eat well, we’re supporting their hearts for life.

However you choose to celebrate – at a community event or at home – we’d love to see it. Share your Children’s Day moments with us and tag the Heart Foundation so we can fill our feed with the smiles of tamariki across Aotearoa.

He taonga te tamaiti – every child is a treasure.

01/03/2026

1 in 3 people are at risk of developing a heart rhythm condition during their lifetime. To mark World Pulse Day, 1 March, take a minute to learn how to take your pulse, and share this post with the people you love.

01/03/2026

An important message from some leading cardiologists at the Waikato Cardiothoracic Unit.

To mark World Pulse Day, 1 March, be sure to watch the video, tag a friend, and know your pulse!

28/02/2026

❤️ Heart Health Month may be ending, but heart health is for life

As February comes to a close, we want to remind you that looking after your heart isn’t just a one-month commitment. It’s something we do all year round.

The good news? It’s not about being perfect. It’s about taking small, consistent steps:

- choose healthier foods 🥗
- move your body 🚶‍♂️
- take your medication as prescribed 💊
- manage your stress.

Those small steps add up. Over time, they can make a powerful difference to your heart health.

Look after your heart, and help us finish Heart Health Month on a high by sharing this post with the people you love the most ❤️👨‍👩‍👧‍👦

27/02/2026

Our Big Heart Appeal street collection is underway! If you spot our volunteers out and about today and tomorrow, come and say hello 👋

Here are a few snaps from today of our kind‑hearted volunteers in action around the country 💗

26/02/2026

💛 Small change, big benefit

Did you know that lowering your ‘bad’ cholesterol (LDL) by just 1 mmol/L can reduce your risk of major heart problems, like heart attacks or strokes, by around 20–22%? ❤️🩺

This Heart Health Month ❤️ take some simple steps towards lowering your cholesterol.

🥧 Cut back on saturated fats, like pies, cakes and chips. They add to the build-up of plaque in your arteries.

🥗 Fill up on whole grains, nuts and seeds, fruit and vegetables, and oily fish. They help reduce your levels of ‘bad’ cholesterol 🐟🌾

🚶‍♀️ Move more. Sitting less and being more active are great ways to reduce 'bad’ cholesterol and increase ‘good’ cholesterol.

🚭 Quit smoking. Smoking makes your ‘bad’ cholesterol stickier and reduces the amount of ‘good’ cholesterol in your blood.

💊 Take meds as prescribed. Taking cholesterol medicines as prescribed will reduce your risk of a heart attack and stroke.

🥑 And if you want some help, try our 7-day cholesterol-lowering meal planner. See comments below 👇

Your heart will thank you ❤️