Action Plans
Recovery is a long journey, so having a plan makes a huge difference. Using an action plan gives you a step-by-step guide to improving your lifestyle.
Key takeaways
Every step counts. Even small ones can make a big difference to your recovery, so pick an action plan and get started.
- Make a plan to track your recovery and journey to a healthier heart.
- Identify what you are ready to do now to help to take the next steps
- You can use our interactive action plans or download and print them
- Share your progress with your healthcare team and always seek advice from your doctor before changing any medication.
The Action plans
Select one of these action plans and make a start:
- Heart attack warning signs
- Nutrition
- Physical activity
- Healthy weight
- Quit smoking
- Diabetes
- Blood pressure
- Cholesterol and triglycerides
- Alcohol
- Psychological and social health
Know more about our Action Plans
Manage your heart attack signs and symptoms
Make sure you have a plan so you can take action if you experience another heart attack.
Download the heart attack warning signs action plan.
Learn more about heart attacks
Nutrition action plan
Eat more healthy foods and cut down on foods high in salt. Cut back on unhealthy fats, like saturated and trans fats, and replace them with healthier fats.Download a printable version (PDF).
Physical activity
Get back to doing everyday tasks step by step. Start slowly and gradually build up your activity.
Download a printable version (PDF).
Healthy weight
If your health professionals say you need to loose weight, use this plan to guide you.
Download a printable version (PDF).
Quit smoking action plan
Planning to quit smoking is an important part of your recovery.
Download a printable version (PDF).
Diabetes action plan
Taking your diabetes medicines as prescribed to control your diabetes?
Get your diabetes under control.
Download a printable version (PDF).
Blood pressure action plan
Talk to your doctor and take your medicines to help Keep your blood pressure at healthy levels.
Download a printable version (PDF).
Cholesterol and triglycerides action plan
Triglycerides and cholesterol are fatty substances that circulate in your blood. Keeping these levels down can make a big difference.
Download a printable version (PDF).
Alcohol action plan
Manage your alcohol intake by switching alcoholic drinks with low kilojoule drinks, like tap water, plain mineral water or diet soft drink.
Download a printable version (PDF).
Psychological and social health action plan
Talk to your doctor and take care of your emotional health with this action plan.
Are you at risk of heart disease?
Are you at risk of heart disease?
Are you at risk of heart disease?
There is no single cause for any one heart condition, but there are risk factors that increase your chance of developing one. ...
Aboriginal heart health
Aboriginal heart health
Aboriginal heart health
Visit the St Vincents Hospital NSW and Heart Foundation Aboriginal heart health website for more information...
Heart Health Check Toolkit
Heart Health Check Toolkit
Fundraise to save Australian hearts
Fundraise to save Australian hearts
Fundraise to save Australian hearts
Join our community of fundraisers who are committed to taking action to fight heart disease....
Support us and help save Australian hearts
Support us and help save Australian hearts
Support us and help save Australian hearts
Join the fight against Australia’s biggest killer by supporting the Heart Foundation. ...
Heart Week
Heart Week
Heart Week
Personal Walking Plan
Personal Walking Plan
Personal Walking Plan
Feel healthier and happier in six weeks with a free Personal Walking Plan...
Trek for Australian Hearts
Trek for Australian Hearts
Trek for Australian Hearts
Join the Heart Foundation in South Australia for the journey of a lifetime, trekking the ancient Flinders Ranges to help save Australian hearts....
Heart Foundation Recovery Support and Resources
Heart Foundation Recovery Support and Resources
Heart Foundation Recovery Support and Resources
Heart Foundation programs and resources to support your recovery....
Support for young adults: Online events
Support for young adults: Online events
Support for young adults: Online events
A series of virtual events for young adults on managing emotional wellbeing. ...
Lamb recipes
Lamb recipes
Lamb recipes
Find heart healthy lamb recipes....
Staying active for better heart health
Staying active for better heart health
Staying active for better heart health
Moving more every day is one of the best habits you can have....
MyMarathon
MyMarathon
MyMarathon
The fundraising race where you set the pace. Run, jog or walk MyMarathon at your own pace during October....
What is angina?
What is angina?
What is angina?
Angina is a type of chest pain or discomfort that’s a symptom of an underlying heart problem, usually coronary heart disease (CHD)....
Australian Chronic Disease Prevention Alliance
Australian Chronic Disease Prevention Alliance
Alliance with chronic disease prevention stakeholders...
A nurse shares her top recovery tips for young cardiac patients
A nurse shares her top recovery tips for young cardiac patients
A nurse shares her top recovery tips for young cardiac patients
Pauline is a nurse and shares advice for young people who have had a heart event or are recovering from surgery....
Heart stories
Heart stories
Heart stories
Stories of hope from Australian men and women fighting heart disease....
Risk factors for women
Risk factors for women
Risk factors for women
In Australia, 90% of women have one risk factor for heart disease, and 50% have two or more. ...
Blood cholesterol
Blood cholesterol
Blood cholesterol
Keeping your blood cholesterol at a healthy level can help you reduce your risk of heart disease and other serious conditions. ...
Relationships and sex after a heart attack
Relationships and sex after a heart attack
Relationships and sex after a heart attack
Explore some useful things to know about intimacy after a heart attack....
Confidential. Personal. Reliable.
Confidential. Personal. Reliable.
Confidential. Personal. Reliable.
Got a question about your heart?...
Italian recipes
Italian recipes
Italian recipes
Find heart healthy Italian recipes....
Get your family moving
Get your family moving
Get your family moving
Get your kids active and set them up for healthier habits into adulthood....
End of Financial Year Tax Receipt
End of Financial Year Tax Receipt
End of Financial Year Tax Receipt
Looking to claim your donations in your tax return this financial year?...
For professionals: Heart Health Checks
For professionals: Heart Health Checks
Heart Health Checks have been supported by Medicare since April 2019....
Key Statistics: Heart attack
Key Statistics: Heart attack
Statistics and information on heart attack in Australia...
The Heart Failure Toolkit
The Heart Failure Toolkit
The Toolkit provides health services with a targeted approach to addressing readmission rates and decreasing variation in care....
What is a heart attack?
What is a heart attack?
What is a heart attack?
The most common cause of a heart attack is coronary heart disease....
Research connect newsletter
Research connect newsletter
Research connect newsletter
The Research Connect Newsletter provides monthly updates on the Heart Foundation Research Program....
Cardiac rehabilitation resources for healthcare providers
Cardiac rehabilitation resources for healthcare providers
Useful cardiac rehabilitation resources for health professionals....