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.
Help make heart disease history!
Help make heart disease history!
Help make heart disease history!
48 Australians die from heart disease every day. You can help save lives....
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. ...
MyMarathon
MyMarathon
MyMarathon
The fundraising race where you set the pace. Run, jog or walk MyMarathon at your own pace during October....
Fundraise to save Australian hearts
Fundraise to save Australian hearts
Fundraise to save Australian hearts
Join the Heart Foundation community. Together, we can make a real difference for Australian hearts. ...
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. ...
Support and resources for health care professionals
Support and resources for health care professionals
Support and resources for health care professionals
Our range of clinical and patient support resources are available for you to use in your daily practice....
Clinical Guidelines
Clinical Guidelines
Clinical Guidelines
Full list of clinical guidlines and references for CVD, heart failure, ACS, hypertension, atrial fibrillation, SCAD and RHD...
Healthy Bowl Recipes
Healthy Bowl Recipes
Healthy Bowl Recipes
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Stay informed about COVID-19
Stay informed about COVID-19
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Heart health information in your language
Heart health information in your language
A selection of heart health information brochures in a range languages...
Heart Foundation recipes
Heart Foundation recipes
Heart Foundation recipes
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Time to book a Heart Health Check?
Time to book a Heart Health Check?
Time to book a Heart Health Check?
If you're 45 and over, or 30 and over if you're of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent, you should book your Heart Health Check today...
Get started with more physical activity
Get started with more physical activity
Get started with more physical activity
Finding time for physical activity is one of the best things you can do for your heart...
Heart Foundation Walking
Heart Foundation Walking
Heart Foundation Walking
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Cyril credits cardiac rehab for getting his life back
Cyril credits cardiac rehab for getting his life back
Cyril credits cardiac rehab for getting his life back
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The one that took Jan’s breath away
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Open heart surgery to treat damaged heart valves has improved Jan's overall health....
Meditation helped Grant recover from his heart attack
Meditation helped Grant recover from his heart attack
Meditation helped Grant recover from his heart attack
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COVID-19 info & FAQs
COVID-19 info & FAQs
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Information and FAQs about COVID-19 and heart disease....
Norm discovered he was at risk of a major heart attack just in the nick of time
Norm discovered he was at risk of a major heart attack just in the nick of time
Norm discovered he was at risk of a major heart attack just in the nick of time
Norm didn’t worry too much about his cholesterol problem – until an angiogram revealed he had an 80 per cent blockage in a major heart artery. ...
Why are you playing this game? It’s putting your heart at risk.
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Maryanne was shocked to find she had a hidden heart problem
Maryanne was shocked to find she had a hidden heart problem
Maryanne was shocked to find she had a hidden heart problem
At first, it didn’t cross my mind it could be something serious. ...
From diagnosis at 37 to heart surgery, rehab and now
From diagnosis at 37 to heart surgery, rehab and now
From diagnosis at 37 to heart surgery, rehab and now
Claude Lam, Open heart surgery survivor...
Gerry had heart attack warning signs on his dream holiday.
Gerry had heart attack warning signs on his dream holiday.
Gerry had heart attack warning signs on his dream holiday.
I’d always thought of myself as fairly fit; I swam a lot, and did ‘soft running’, a combination of running and walking. ...
Heart stories
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Women and heart disease
Women and heart disease
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Find a cardiac rehabilitation service near you
Find a cardiac rehabilitation service near you
This cardiac services directory presents information on cardiac rehab programs offered across Australia....
Sodium and salt converter
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Convert the sodium listed on food products into grams of salt or vice versa. ...
Action Plans
Action Plans
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....
Our supporters
Our supporters
Our supporters
Working together to save Australian hearts...
Our research stories
Our research stories
Our research stories
We fund amazing researchers who have important stories to tell...