Your guide to living well with heart disease

Blog: Thursday 2 October 2025

Feeling overwhelmed after a heart disease diagnosis is completely normal.

You’ve been through a lot. And while you’re coming to terms with what has happened, at the same time you might be trying to digest a lot of new information and advice. From managing your medicines to forming heart-healthy habits, you might be unsure where to start.

If this sounds like you, this guide can help. It offers seven steps you can take to look after your heart and live well with heart disease. You’ll also find out how MyHeart MyLife – our free digital support program for people living with heart disease and those caring for them – can help you along the way.

Seven ways to look after your heart

1) Understand your heart

Knowledge is power when you’re living with heart disease. Understanding your diagnosis can help you to make sense of what happened to you, your symptoms and why certain medicines and healthy habits matter.

Start by asking your GP or cardiologist to explain your condition in plain language. Having a loved one or carer listen in can help you understand your diagnosis and what you need to do next. If you still have questions, don’t be afraid to ask them! It can be helpful to think about the questions you have before your appointment and write them down so you don’t forget.

By joining MyHeart MyLife, you’ll have access to more information and support to help you understand your heart condition and what happened to you. We’ve even put together a list of questions you might like to ask your doctor next time you see them.

2) See your doctor as often as they recommend

Regular check-ins with your GP are essential to keep an eye on your blood pressure, cholesterol, and how you’re feeling, both physically and mentally.

How often you need to see your GP or cardiologist will depend on your individual situation. It’s different for everyone. Some people need monthly visits, while others can stretch to every three to six months. If something doesn’t feel right between appointments or you develop any new symptoms, don’t wait to seek medical help. Your doctor will want to see you.

MyHeart MyLife is a great source of information between medical appointments. By joining, you’ll get 24/7 access to helpful bite-sized articles, expert videos and practical resources to help you understand and manage your heart health.

3) Take your medicines as prescribed

Heart medicines can include medicines to manage your blood pressure and cholesterol levels, and to prevent blood clots forming. Taking your medicines as advised by your doctor is important to reduce the risk of future heart problems and to help keep you feeling well. Never stop taking your medicines or change the dose without speaking with your GP or pharmacist first.

Keeping on top of your medicines can be tricky at times, especially if you take a lot of them. Simple tools can help, like setting phone reminders, using a weekly pillbox or you can ask your pharmacist about dose packs. For more handy tips to manage your medicines, MyHeart MyLife can help with reliable information and practical guidance from medical experts.

4) Know your numbers to manage your risk

Knowing your blood pressure and cholesterol readings, and what they should be, is important. With help and support from your GP and healthcare team, you can work towards your targets, which can help reduce the risk of future heart problems. If you have diabetes, knowing your blood sugar levels is important too. When you join MyHeart MyLife, you’ll set realistic goals and learn how to track progress over time.

5) Follow a heart-healthy eating pattern

A heart-healthy eating pattern includes:

• plenty of vegetables, fruits and wholegrains
• a variety of healthy proteins, like fish, seafood, legumes and lean poultry
• unflavoured, reduced fat milk, yoghurt and cheese
• healthy fats including nuts, seeds, avocados, olives and their oils for cooking
• herbs and spices to flavour food instead of adding salt.

Eating well for your heart doesn’t have to be complicated. Start by making small changes – they all add up. For example, add one extra serve of veg at dinner, swap butter for olive oil, or choose wholegrain bread instead of white. Changes like this can also help improve your cholesterol and blood pressure.

Join MyHeart MyLife for more healthy eating practical tips, including a downloadable grocery guide and plenty of heart-healthy recipes.

7) Connect with others

You don’t have to do this alone. Support is available as you adjust to a new normal living with heart disease. Seek help from family and friends and talk to them about how you’re feeling. Your GP is a great source of support too, and a good person to check in with about any mental health concerns you might have.

Consider joining the MyHeart MyLife Facebook community to share experiences, ask questions and celebrate wins with people who ‘get it’ and understand what you’re going through. If you’re a carer, you’re part of this journey too. Connecting with other carers can help you feel informed and supported.

Why these 7 steps work

We know that small changes can have a big positive impact on your heart health. Taking your medicines, forming heart-healthy habits and keeping in touch with your doctor can help keep you feeling well and enjoying life. MyHeart MyLife can also help along the way, providing you with reliable information and support which you can access anywhere, anytime.

Turning tips into a weekly rhythm

When life gets busy, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed with all the things you should be doing to look after your heart health. The key is to make your plan fit the week you have - not an ideal one. Here’s a simple routine to try:

• Monday: Book or confirm any appointments (GP, cardiac rehab, pathology).
• Mid-week: Plan three heart-healthy meals and add ingredients to your grocery list.
• Weekend: Choose two active moments you enjoy. A short walk with a friend, a swim, or light gardening.
• Any day: Do one thing for connection (message a support buddy, post in the MyHeart MyLife Facebook community, or call a family member).

This approach helps you stick to a heart-healthy routine, without needing a perfect schedule.

Register for MyHeart MyLife

If you’re ready for reliable, step-by-step information and support, join the free MyHeart MyLife program today: www.myheartmylife.org.au.

By joining, you’ll get access to helpful weekly articles, videos, resources and much more! With expert tips and practical information designed to help you to:

• look after your heart
• care for your emotional health and wellbeing
• feel motivated and inspired to live well.

The best part? You can access this tailored information and support at any time, meaning you can go at your own pace.

Thousands of people in Australia have already benefited from MyHeart MyLife by learning how to live well with heart disease. Why not join them?

Remember: this article provides general information only. For personalised advice, always talk to your GP or cardiologist. If you have symptoms like chest pain, shortness of breath or dizziness, seek medical care promptly.