What we do

We are leading the fight to save Australian hearts

For over 60 years, the Heart Foundation has been the trusted peak body working to improve heart disease prevention, detection, and support for all Australians. Since 1959 we have funded research projects worth over $670+ million.

Whilst our work has had a major impact on the survival rates of those suffering a heart attack and those living with heart disease, we will not be satisfied until it is completely eradicated. Coronary heart disease is still Australia’s number one killer, taking 50 lives every day.

To help us realise our vision of an Australia free of heart disease along with the teamwork and passion of our supporters and generosity of millions of Australians act to make a difference in the fight against heart disease by:

Funding high-impact research, supporting emerging and leading heart health researchers
Working to improve heart disease prevention, detection, care and support for all Australians
Advocating to governments and industry for increased funding and resources for heart health
Building community awareness about living a heart-healthy lifestyle. We do this through public health awareness campaigns, accessible information and resources
Supporting health professionals in their work to prevent, diagnose, treat and manage heart disease.

Our vision

Towards an Australia free of heart disease.

Our mission

To reduce heart disease and improve the heart health and quality of life of all Australians through our work in Risk Reduction, Support, Care and Research.

Our purpose

Leading the fight to save Australian hearts.

Our values

Our values represent how we have evolved, and how we wish to continue working into the future. They guide the way we work together.

Stronger together	We believe in the power of unity, as we are strongest when we work together. We support each other so we all feel appreciated, by showing respect, leveraging diverse backgrounds, talents, perspectives, and resources.
Make a difference	We are proud of our history and our achievements; we use our past successes to guide the future. We work with evidence to be a trusted voice on heart health – when the evidence changes, we change with it.
Change the future	We are courageous and think big, but we don’t ignore the details. We promote creativity and innovation in our thinking and actions to continually increase our reach and impact.
Build connections	We build genuine connections with our community, stakeholders, partners and customers. We strongly believe that what we do every day is for the benefit of others.
Act with integrity	We are honest and take responsibility for our actions. We value the opinions of others and always assume positive intent. We enhance our trusted reputation through the responsible and transparent use of donor funds.

Our key achievements

$670+ million invested in research

Over the last 60 years the Heart Foundation has invested over half a billion dollars to support Australian researchers. This funding helps to improve the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of heart disease.

10 million kids get skipping

Since its launch in 1983, over 10 million kids have participated in Jump Rope for Heart, raising over $108 million. This wonderful initiative helps to keep primary school children active and promote the importance of physical activity in maintaining a healthy heart.

Heart Health Checks

In 2019, our ‘Serial Killer’ campaign aimed to reignite the public conversation about coronary heart disease. The campaign also looked to advance the Heart Foundation’s long-standing call for a Medicare-funded Heart Health Check. Just seven days post launch the government agreed to Medicare Benefits Scheme (MBS) funded Heart Health Checks from 1 April 2019.

CONNECTING HEARTS STRATEGY

What we do

We are leading the fight to save Australian hearts

Our vision

Our mission

Our purpose

Our values

Our key achievements

$670+ million invested in research

10 million kids get skipping

Heart Health Checks

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Our programs and initiatives

Our programs and initiatives

Our programs and initiatives

Our strategy

Our strategy

Our strategy

Where our funds go

Where our funds go

Where our funds go

You can help keep families like Paul’s together.

You can help keep families like Paul’s together.

You can help keep families like Paul’s together.

Heart Health Check Toolkit

Heart Health Check Toolkit

Vegetarian recipes

Vegetarian recipes

Vegetarian recipes

Acute coronary syndromes (ACS) clinical resources

Acute coronary syndromes (ACS) clinical resources

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test page

test page

Blueprint for an active Australia

Blueprint for an active Australia

Blueprint for an active Australia

WEBINAR | Research Alumni Series 2020

WEBINAR | Research Alumni Series 2020

WEBINAR | Research Alumni Series 2020

Donate to the Heart Foundation

Donate to the Heart Foundation

Donate to the Heart Foundation

Order patient resources online

Order patient resources online

Heart Foundation delivers $17.2 million for cutting-edge heart research in a challenging year

Heart Foundation delivers $17.2 million for cutting-edge heart research in a challenging year

Heart Foundation delivers $17.2 million for cutting-edge heart research in a challenging year

Key Statistics: Coronary Heart Disease

Key Statistics: Coronary Heart Disease

Q&A with Dr Caleb Ferguson

Q&A with Dr Caleb Ferguson

Q&A with Dr Caleb Ferguson

Workplace giving for employees

Workplace giving for employees

Workplace giving for employees

Our supporters

Our supporters

Our supporters

Personal Walking Plan

Personal Walking Plan

Personal Walking Plan

How can I beat the barriers and get active for a healthy heart?

How can I beat the barriers and get active for a healthy heart?

How can I beat the barriers and get active for a healthy heart?

Baking recipes

Baking recipes

Baking recipes

Exercise boosts artery health in middle-aged and older men, not testosterone therapy

Exercise boosts artery health in middle-aged and older men, not testosterone therapy

Exercise boosts artery health in middle-aged and older men, not testosterone therapy

Support and resources for health care professionals

Support and resources for health care professionals

Support and resources for health care professionals

Dinner recipes

Dinner recipes

Dinner recipes

Q&A with Lauren Blekkenhorst

Q&A with Lauren Blekkenhorst

Q&A with Lauren Blekkenhorst

Smoking and your heart