Managing the impact
Whether you are newly diagnosed or have been managing your condition for a while, we can help you manage your risk factors and live a healthier life.
Maintaining a healthy lifestyle
A healthy lifestyle will help you feel better and look after your heart health. Here's some things you can do to help keep your health on track:
- Stay active - it’s important to be active when you have a heart condition. Learn more about exercising when you have a heart condition.
- Follow a healthy eating plan. Learn more about how to eat right.
- If you are overweight, aim to reach and keep to a healthy weight.
- Giving up smoking and reducing your exposure to second-hand smoke will vastly reduce your risk of having any further heart problems.
Always talk to your doctor about what’s right for you.
Cardiac Rehabilitation
Cardiac rehabilitation is a program of exercise and support sessions to help you get back on your feet again after a heart attack, heart surgery or procedure. It's an important part of your recovery.
Learn more about what happens in cardiac rehab.
Emotional support
It’s normal to have a lot of different feelings after a heart attack or other heart condition.
You might feel sad, worried, stressed, angry, lonely or guilty. You may have difficulty sleeping and feel you no longer have control over your life.
Read more about how to manage emotional stress.
Sex and heart conditions
You can continue to enjoy a happy and healthy sex life even if you have a heart condition.
However, it is normal to feel anxious about starting your sex life again if you have a heart condition.
More information on sex and heart conditions.
Hot weather and your heart
During heatwaves, people with heart disease and those taking medicines for blood pressure or excess fluid (e.g. diuretics) need to take extra care.
As the temperature rises, the body tries to balance the heat by increasing blood flow and by sweating. Sweating can lead to dehydration, which puts more pressure on the heart.
Talk with your doctor if you’re concerned about your health in the heat.
The flu
If you have a heart condition, you’re at greater risk of becoming more seriously ill from the flu. The best way to prevent the flu is by getting vaccinated each year.
The flu can also affect medicines like Warfarin.
And some medicines used to relieve flu symptoms can interact with medicines prescribed for heart conditions.
Talk with your doctor about whether you should have a flu vaccination, if you have flu-like symptoms and before taking over the counter flu medicines.