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Confidential. Personal. Reliable.
heartfoundation.org.au|Helpline 13 11 12

Confidential. Personal. Reliable.

Got a question about your heart?

Call the Helpline on 13 11 12 during business hours.

It’s a free service and we’d love to hear from you.

  • Lines open 8.30am to 5.30pm Australian Central Standard Time Monday to Friday, except public holidays.  
  • Email: health@heartfoundation.org.au 
For over 20 years, our Helpline has been providing free information, guidance and support to help people improve their heart health. 
 
Every call will be answered by a qualified health professional, and you will receive expert information and support that’s tailored just for you. 
 
Whether you’re seeking advice for yourself or a loved one, we’ll give you the information and reassurance you need. We’ll sort through any myths you may have heard about caring for your heart, healthy eating, exercise and heart disease, and give you credible information you can trust. 

Apart from the cost of a local call, our service is completely free. You don't need to make an appointment and you can ask us as many questions as you like.  

Need help getting in contact?

If you have a hearing or speech impairment you may wish to use the National Relay Service to get in touch with us.

If English is not your first language, you can still call the Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS National) on 131 450 and ask them to telephone the Heart Foundation Helpline on 13 11 12. 

You can talk to us about anything related to your heart disease or heart health. 

We can explain and answer your questions on topics such as:
  • What you or your loved one’s heart problem means 
  • How to manage heart failure so you can live well life 
  • How to manage related conditions such as high cholesterol, high blood pressure or diabetes to help prevent heart disease 
  • The heart medications you’ve been prescribed 
  • What to expect before, during and after a heart procedure 
  • How to incorporate more activity into your day 
  • How you can adjust your diet to make healthy eating a way of life 
  • Any heart disease symptoms or risk factors you may be worried about 
  • Understanding the warning signs of a heart attack 
  • What to expect after you or your loved one has had a heart attack 
  • How to recover from a heart attack and live a well life 
  • Managing intimacy and sex after a heart attack 
  • Your psychosocial health following a heart attack 
  • Finding nearby cardiac rehabilitation centres, support services or walking groups 
  • Atrial fibrillation, heart rhythm problems, heart valve problems and other heart conditions like Cardiomyopathy 
  • Helping you prepare questions to ask your doctor 
  • Any other concerns about heart health or heart disease you may have. 
For questions, information or to make any changes relating to your supporter details, please contact us at contactus@heartfoundation.org.au 

Support queries include things such as:
  • Donations 
  • Memorial donations 
  • Updating your credit card or address details 
  • Removing yourself from our mailing list 
  • Making a deceased notification 
  • Making a Duplicate Receipt request 
  • Placing a hold on or cancelling your Regular Gift 
  • Enquiring about Face 2 Face / Door 2 Door fundraising 
  • Feedback and complaints. 

1. You’ll hear a pre-recorded menu 

2. You’ll be connected to a member of our Helpline team 

If we can’t put you through to someone straightaway, you can leave a message and we’ll call you back or you can email us at health@heartfoundation.org.au. 

3. You and the Helpline team member will have a confidential chat 

  • Your contact will start by introducing themselves, as well as get an understanding of how they can help you, and what you’d like to talk about 
  • Our Helpline team member will also quickly confirm your name and contact details 
  • Depending on your query, our team member may ask you about: 
  • Any symptoms you’re experiencing 
  • What medicines you take 
  • Relevant parts of your medical history 
  • Your lifestyle and eating habits 
  • Your family history of heart disease or related conditions 
  • Any treatment or support you’re currently receiving 
  • Other matters that may be relevant. 
  • They will answer any questions you have 
  • Every part of your discussion will be completely confidential. 

4. Our team member may suggest some next steps you could take 

These could include: 
  • See your GP or a specialist for a full diagnosis 
  • Visit your community pharmacist 
  • Connect with cardiac rehabilitation or support services in your local area 
  • Speak to another health professional within our Helpline team who can give you more specialised advice 
  • Call 000 if you or the person you’re calling about requires urgent treatment. 
They may also send you information about the topics you’ve discussed. 

5. Before your call ends:

  • Our team member will check if you have any more questions 
  • If you’ve been discussing symptoms, they will let you know what any sudden changes may mean and whether you should call 000 and seek urgent treatment 
  • You’ll be invited to call again if you have any more questions. 

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Donate online by 30 June, to claim your gift on your upcoming tax return.

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