The Heart Collective

Supporting women who are living with a heart condition.

The Heart Collective is an informal network of women with heart disease, created to provide a safe environment for women to connect, share experiences and learn from each other.

Women’s stories

Generously, a number of women have shared their personal stories of diagnosis and recovery so that other women will not feel so alone. These stories cover a range of heart conditions and represent women from all stages of life.

Watch their stories

Join the Heart Collective Facebook Group

Join our closed Facebook group to connect with others, share your story, hear how others are going and support each other in an accessible private environment.

Join the Facebook group

You might also be interested in

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....

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....

Alcohol action plan

Being a carer for a heart attack patient

Your role as a carer for a heart attack patient is an important one – explore some useful things to know....

Cardiac arrest at 26: adjusting to a new ‘normal’

Blood pressure action plan

Key steps that can help you manage your blood pressure....

What is cardiac rehab?

Cardiac rehab is proven to keep you out of hospital and reduce your risk of death from heart conditions....

From diagnosis at 37 to heart surgery, rehab and now

Claude Lam, Open heart surgery survivor...

Find a cardiac rehabilitation service near you

This cardiac services directory presents information on cardiac rehab programs offered across Australia....

Driving and travelling after a heart attack

Explore our guide for driving and heart attack recovery. ...

Davina overcomes the shock of a lifetime to recover from a traumatic heart story

Davina was going about her busy life when a visit to her GP revealed a series of heart conditions that changed her life. ...

Cholesterol and triglycerides action plan

Key steps that can help you manage your cholesterol and triglyceride levels....

Feelings and emotions after a heart attack

This is a guide to how you might be feeling after a heart attack. ...

Debbie's heart story

Debbie decided to give cardiac rehab a go and hasn’t looked back since. ...

Diabetes action plan

Sorting out your finances after a heart attack

Explore how to manage your financial concerns after a heart attack. ...

Cardiac arrest at 33: the challenges of restarting your life

Emma shares her story and opens up about her emotional struggles....

End of Financial Year Tax Receipt

Looking to claim your donations in your tax return this financial year?...

Cardiac rehabilitation resources for healthcare providers

Useful cardiac rehabilitation resources for health professionals....

Do you have a Heart Story to share?

Sharing your story could help another Australian just like you to overcome their heart challenges...

Get heart attack recovery emails

The Heart Foundation has designed a series of emails to help people who've had heart attacks (and their loved ones) through their recovery....

Cardiac Rehabilitation for Health Professionals - Patient Resources

Helen's heart story

It wasn’t until Helen's second heart attack that she realised the importance of exercising regularly and eating a healthy diet....

Confidential. Personal. Reliable.

Got a question about your heart?...

Key healthy eating messages for heart attack recovery 

Eating healthy foods can help you recover and reduce your risk of more heart problems. ...

How a pacemaker at 34 saved my life

Kim shares the emotional and physical upheaval experienced on her journey to diagnosis and recovery....

Nutrition action plan

Heart attack medication

There are a number of medications you could be prescribed after a heart attack....

Jo's heart story

Joanne had five stents inserted into her heart in her early forties. Fifteen years later she had a triple bypass....

Physical activity action plan

Heart attack recovery – your first month

Explore the Heart Foundation’s guide on what to expect in the first month after your heart attack. ...

Lessons learned: recovering from open heart surgery

After having five open heart surgeries between the ages of 13 and 41, Peter knows a thing or two about recovery....

Psychological and social health action plan

Key steps that can help you manage your emotional health....

Heart attack recovery – quit smoking

Smoking is a major risk factor for heart disease. Get the facts on quitting and how it can help you recover. ...

Margaret's heart story

Margaret was young, fit and otherwise healthy but suffered a major heart attack that could have devastated her life...

Quit smoking action plan

Heart procedures and devices

If you have a heart condition, your doctor may recommend treatment or procedures...

A damaged heart valve meant Ruth had to make a tough decision

When Ruth felt breathless climbing the lookouts on her overseas trip, the last thing she suspected was heart disease....

Long-term recovery after a heart attack

Information to help you adjust to what could be the 'new normal'...

Sharing scars, and more, on Valentine’s Day

Valentine’s Day; some people celebrate, other’s vehemently oppose it. Whatever your opinion, it’s important to remember that the day is about love. All forms of it....

Heart Foundation Recovery Support and Resources

Heart Foundation programs and resources to support your recovery....

Supporting Young Hearts

Advice from young people living with a heart condition....

Nutrition after a heart attack

Discover key information on heart-healthy eating and drinking....

Physical activity after a heart attack

Discover what you need to know about being active after a heart attack....

Relationships and sex after a heart attack

Explore some useful things to know about intimacy after a heart attack....

Returning to work after a heart attack

Discover how to plan for your return to work....

Support after a heart attack

Many different thoughts may go through your head after a heart attack and you may be presented with complicated medical info. Know where to get support. ...

Taking your medicines

There are many medicines that treat heart attack, angina, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and other heart conditions....

Heart Health Check Toolkit

How we fought heart disease in 2020

Everything we do is possible thanks to the generosity of our supporters. ...

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 us and help save Australian hearts

Join the fight against Australia’s biggest killer by supporting the Heart Foundation. ...

Aboriginal heart health

Visit the St Vincents Hospital NSW and Heart Foundation Aboriginal heart health website for more information...

Heart Foundation Recovery Support and Resources

Heart Foundation programs and resources to support your recovery....

Fundraise to save Australian hearts

Join our community of fundraisers who are committed to taking action to fight heart disease....

What waist measurements mean for your heart

How your waist measurement contributes to your heart health...

Physical activity after a heart attack

Discover what you need to know about being active after a heart attack....

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

Exercises to do at home

All you need to know about keeping active during COVID-19....

Improving food supply

The Heart Foundation supports initiatives that guide people to healthier food and drink choices. ...

Christmas recipes

Find heart healthy festive recipes. ...

Australian Heart Maps

Our Heart Maps allow you to take a closer look at heart disease indicators across Australia....

Long-term recovery after a heart attack

Information to help you adjust to what could be the 'new normal'...

Coronary Angiogram Test

This is a common test done to find out angina symptoms, or during or after a heart attack. ...

Heart Safe Community

Heart Safe Community is a program that aims to increase a person’s chance of survival if they suffer a cardiac arrest outside of hospital. ...

The one that took Jan’s breath away

Open heart surgery to treat damaged heart valves has improved Jan's overall health....

The Heart Foundation Community

We need your opinion, experience and skills to help us improve the heart health of all Australians. ...

Cardiac Rehabilitation for Health Professionals - Patient Resources

About the Lighthouse Hospital Project

Heart disease is the number one cause of death in Australia, but the burden of disease disproportionately affects Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples....

Supporting Young Hearts Program

Information and resources for health professionals who are treating patients between 18 - 40 years of age....

Supporting local Councils in South Australia

Resources to help support your council region to be healthy, connected and safe....

Smoking and your heart

Understand how smoking can impact your heart health. ...

When The Heart Gets Heavy: Emotional Wellbeing and Heart Conditions

Emotional wellbeing is like having a garden, sometimes it grows green on its own, other times it needs watering, cutting back or fertilising....

After being treated for atrial fibrillation, Boyd is now back on track

Running has been an important part of Boyd's life, so imagine his shock when a heart condition he had never heard of threatened to put a stop to it. ...

Heart Foundation recipes

Check out our recipe categories to find your next heart healthy meal....

CVD and COVID-19 Grant

Grants to support ground-breaking research focused on COVID-19 and its interaction with heart conditions....

Physical activity and your heart health

Physical activity and exercise can benefit your heart, body and mind....

Workplace giving program

Workplace giving is a simple and tax effective way for employees to make regular donations to a cause they care about. ...

The Heart Collective

Supporting women who are living with a heart condition.

Women’s stories

Join the Heart Collective Facebook Group

More on this topic

Women and heart disease

Women and heart disease

Women and heart disease

You might also be interested in

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

Action Plans

Action Plans

Action Plans

Alcohol action plan

Alcohol action plan

Being a carer for a heart attack patient

Being a carer for a heart attack patient

Being a carer for a heart attack patient

Cardiac arrest at 26: adjusting to a new ‘normal’

Cardiac arrest at 26: adjusting to a new ‘normal’

Cardiac arrest at 26: adjusting to a new ‘normal’

Blood pressure action plan

Blood pressure action plan

What is cardiac rehab?

What is cardiac rehab?

What is cardiac rehab?

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

Find a cardiac rehabilitation service near you

Find a cardiac rehabilitation service near you

Driving and travelling after a heart attack

Driving and travelling after a heart attack

Driving and travelling after a heart attack

Davina overcomes the shock of a lifetime to recover from a traumatic heart story

Davina overcomes the shock of a lifetime to recover from a traumatic heart story

Davina overcomes the shock of a lifetime to recover from a traumatic heart story

Cholesterol and triglycerides action plan

Cholesterol and triglycerides action plan

Feelings and emotions after a heart attack

Feelings and emotions after a heart attack

Feelings and emotions after a heart attack

Debbie's heart story

Debbie's heart story

Debbie's heart story

Diabetes action plan

Diabetes action plan

Sorting out your finances after a heart attack

Sorting out your finances after a heart attack

Sorting out your finances after a heart attack

Cardiac arrest at 33: the challenges of restarting your life

Cardiac arrest at 33: the challenges of restarting your life

Cardiac arrest at 33: the challenges of restarting your life

End of Financial Year Tax Receipt

End of Financial Year Tax Receipt

End of Financial Year Tax Receipt

Cardiac rehabilitation resources for healthcare providers

Cardiac rehabilitation resources for healthcare providers

Do you have a Heart Story to share?

Do you have a Heart Story to share?

Do you have a Heart Story to share?

Get heart attack recovery emails

Get heart attack recovery emails

Get heart attack recovery emails

Cardiac Rehabilitation for Health Professionals - Patient Resources

Cardiac Rehabilitation for Health Professionals - Patient Resources

Helen's heart story

Helen's heart story

Helen's heart story

Confidential. Personal. Reliable.

Confidential. Personal. Reliable.

Confidential. Personal. Reliable.

Key healthy eating messages for heart attack recovery

Key healthy eating messages for heart attack recovery

Key healthy eating messages for heart attack recovery

How a pacemaker at 34 saved my life

How a pacemaker at 34 saved my life

How a pacemaker at 34 saved my life

Key healthy eating messages for heart attack recovery 

Key healthy eating messages for heart attack recovery 

Key healthy eating messages for heart attack recovery 