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.Physical activity
Get back to doing everyday tasks step by step. Start slowly and gradually build up your activity.
Healthy weight
If your health professionals say you need to loose weight, use this plan to guide you.
Quit smoking action plan
Planning to quit smoking is an important part of your recovery.
Diabetes action plan
Taking your diabetes medicines as prescribed to control your diabetes?
Get your diabetes under control.
Blood pressure action plan
Talk to your doctor and take your medicines to help Keep your blood pressure at healthy levels.
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.
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.
Psychological and social health action plan
Talk to your doctor and take care of your emotional health with this action plan.
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. ...
Cook with Heart
Cook with Heart
Cook with Heart
Join the Cook with Heart Challenge as seen on Channel 7...
Clinical Guidelines
Clinical Guidelines
Clinical Guidelines
Full list of clinical guidlines and references for CVD, heart failure, ACS, hypertension, atrial fibrillation, SCAD and RHD...
Stay informed about COVID-19
Stay informed about COVID-19
Stay informed about COVID-19
If you have heart disease, you are more vulnerable to severe complications....
Understanding your heart age
Understanding your heart age
Understanding your heart age
Try our Heart Age Calculator to understand what contributes to your risk of heart disease...
My Heart, My Life - Managing your heart health
My Heart, My Life - Managing your heart health
My Heart, My Life - Managing your heart health
This booklet is for those diagnosed with heart disease and their support people....
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. ...
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....
The Heart Foundation Research Program
The Heart Foundation Research Program
The Heart Foundation Research Program
We are Australia’s biggest non-government funder of world-class research into heart health. Learn more about our high impact research. ...
Clinical resources: Coronary heart disease and mental health
Clinical resources: Coronary heart disease and mental health
The prevalence of depression is high in patients with coronary heart disease (CHD)....
Beef recipes
Beef recipes
Beef recipes
Find heart healthy beef recipes....
Healthy Active by Design
Healthy Active by Design
Healthy Active by Design
Improving the design of our cities, towns, streets and buildings makes it easier for Australians to lead heart-healthy lives....
Driving and travelling after a heart attack
Driving and travelling after a heart attack
Driving and travelling after a heart attack
Explore our guide for driving and heart attack recovery. ...
When The Heart Gets Heavy: Emotional Wellbeing and Heart Conditions
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....
Health Professional Ambassador Program
Health Professional Ambassador Program
Health Professional Ambassador Program
Would you like to improve the cardiovascular health of your patients?...
Confidential. Personal. Reliable.
Confidential. Personal. Reliable.
Confidential. Personal. Reliable.
Got a question about your heart?...
Ask the experts: caring for people with CVD during COVID-19 webinar
Ask the experts: caring for people with CVD during COVID-19 webinar
Ask the experts: caring for people with CVD during COVID-19 webinar
What is coronary heart disease?
What is coronary heart disease?
What is coronary heart disease?
Coronary heart disease (CHD) or coronary artery disease occurs when a coronary artery clogs and narrows because of a buildup of plaque....
Health professional online learning
Health professional online learning
We offer a number of modules focused on improving cardiovascular care....
Physical activity resources
Physical activity resources
Physical activity resources
Resources for health professionals interested in physical activity....
COVID-19 & cardiovascular disease
COVID-19 & cardiovascular disease
COVID-19 & cardiovascular disease
Information and resources for health care professionals....
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. ...
Encouraging cardiovascular research excellence in South Australia
Encouraging cardiovascular research excellence in South Australia
Encouraging cardiovascular research excellence in South Australia
Supporting SA cardiac patients and health professionals with free resources
Supporting SA cardiac patients and health professionals with free resources
Supporting SA cardiac patients and health professionals with free resources
We want to make it easier for South Australians to lead heart-healthy lives....
Fruit, vegetables and heart health
Fruit, vegetables and heart health
Fruit, vegetables and heart health
How to boost your fruit and vegetable intake to help protect your heart. ...
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. ...
Managing your funding
Managing your funding
Managing your funding
Resources to help manage your grant, scholarship or fellowship....
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...
The one that took Jan’s breath away
The one that took Jan’s breath away
The one that took Jan’s breath away
Open heart surgery to treat damaged heart valves has improved Jan's overall health....
What is a healthy body weight?
What is a healthy body weight?
What is a healthy body weight?
Find out what a healthy body weight is and the steps you can take to achieve it. ...