.jpg)
Gary's heart story
Gary's heart attack came without warning.
Gary talks about going from being a cardiac rehabilitation sceptic to realising it’s what helped him get his confidence, and his life, back.
My name's Gary and in February I had a major heart attack. I was a pretty heavy smoker and I loved having a beer and my father died of a heart attack so after the event it was pretty easy to realise why I had the heart attack. The days before the heart attack were normal as usual. I went to work like a normal day. I started to have chest pains and decided to drive myself to the hospital to get checked out. I got 200 meters from the hospital and basically had a heart attack in the car. From then on in I underwent a stent in my left artery. I had one hundred percent blockage. I'd had no warning signs that morning or the night before, everything was normal. I had fractures in my sternum and in some ribs from the severity of the CPR.
Psychologically, it was very hard. I realized how lucky I was to be alive. My wife and my nurse signed me up to cardiac rehab. What I learnt from cardiac rehab really kept me going. It helped me understand how to continue with my life. My thoughts initially about cardiac rehab were, you know, “I don’t need that I'm a bloke.” I was very hesitant to start with, but once I got it was just incredible. Just to talk to people that had been through the same thing was good and to learn the right type of exercises I should be doing. I wasn't ready for it by any means but you just had to get up and get on with the cardiac rehab and that showed me that you can go for a walk that you can exercise.
The confidence it gave me was really important. Realising that the future still holds a normal life and that I wasn’t going to let what happened change my life. For somebody that started as a big downer, six weeks after I started the course I changed my whole view and it was just tremendous. I can't recommend it highly enough.
Learn how cardiac rehabilitation can help you, or find a cardiac rehabilitation service online. You can also call the Heart Foundation Helpline 13 11 12 for help finding a service near you.
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. ...
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 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. ...
Clinical Guidelines
Clinical Guidelines
Clinical Guidelines
Full list of clinical guidlines and references for CVD, heart failure, ACS, hypertension, atrial fibrillation, SCAD and RHD...
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....
Heart Age Calculator
Heart Age Calculator
Heart Age Calculator
Try our Heart Age Calculator to understand what contributes to your risk of 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. ...
Food and healthy eating during COVID-19
Food and healthy eating during COVID-19
Food and healthy eating during COVID-19
Healthy eating and COVID-19 FAQ...
Heart failure clinical resources
Heart failure clinical resources
Resources and clinical information for health professionals...
What's your BMI?
What's your BMI?
What's your BMI?
Are you within a healthy weight range for your height?...
Your heart is your most important tool
Your heart is your most important tool
Your heart is your most important tool
Men’s Health Week is the perfect time to think about your heart....
Encouraging cardiovascular research excellence in NSW
Encouraging cardiovascular research excellence in NSW
Encouraging cardiovascular research excellence in NSW
A ground-breaking collaboration bringing together for the first time the state’s most eminent cardiovascular researchers...
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?...
Become a corporate partner
Become a corporate partner
Become a corporate partner
Partner with us to help us fight for Australian hearts....
Help others in need through a gift in your Will
Help others in need through a gift in your Will
Help others in need through a gift in your Will
Ian “did not hesitate” to leave 100% of his estate to the Heart Foundation....
Heart Foundation Walking
Heart Foundation Walking
Heart Foundation Walking
Learn more about Heart Foundation Walking and find your local walking group....
Northern Territory General Election - 22nd August 2020
Northern Territory General Election - 22nd August 2020
Northern Territory General Election - 22nd August 2020
Investment in heart health is an investment in longer, happier and more productive lives....
Fit, active and healthy – Sharon wasn’t expecting a heart attack
Fit, active and healthy – Sharon wasn’t expecting a heart attack
Fit, active and healthy – Sharon wasn’t expecting a heart attack
Fit, active and healthy, Sharon wasn’t expecting a heart attack. However, after experiencing a ‘widow maker’, she counts herself lucky....
Benefits of physical activity for your heart
Benefits of physical activity for your heart
Benefits of physical activity for your heart
Physical activity and exercise can do wonders for your physical and mental health....
Leaving a gift in your Will: A lasting legacy
Leaving a gift in your Will: A lasting legacy
Leaving a gift in your Will: A lasting legacy
One of the most powerful ways to help support a future without heart disease is to include a gift to the Heart Foundation in your Will...
Advocating for healthy hearts throughout Australia
Advocating for healthy hearts throughout Australia
We're addressing the disparities in heart health so all Australians can live longer, healthier lives....
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...
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...
Why are you playing this game? It’s putting your heart at risk.
Why are you playing this game? It’s putting your heart at risk.
Why are you playing this game? It’s putting your heart at risk.
The game is “hide and seek”. You play it without even realising. The shock is that when you play this game, you could be placing your heart health at risk....
Jump Rope for Heart
Jump Rope for Heart
Jump Rope for Heart
Jump Rope for Heart teaches school children how to keep fit and healthy through skipping!...
Types of physical activity
Types of physical activity
Types of physical activity
Nine out of 10 Australians could reduce the risk of heart disease by walking as little as 15 minutes more each day....
Exercises to do at home
Exercises to do at home
Exercises to do at home
All you need to know about keeping active during COVID-19....
What is heart disease?
What is heart disease?
What is heart disease?
Heart disease is the broad term for conditions that affect the structure and function of the heart muscle. ...
COVID-19 & cardiovascular disease
COVID-19 & cardiovascular disease
COVID-19 & cardiovascular disease
Information and resources for health care professionals....