Stories

A researcher at the forefront of cardiac energetics globally, Dr JC Han at the University of Auckland, has been awarded a Senior Fellowship from the Heart Foundation to investigate improving heart efficiency.

A young researcher is investigating why a highly effective medication for treatment-resistant schizophrenia may cause damage to the heart or premature death.

Born in Dover, England, in 1934, Ian has been on a journey all over the world from Zambia to New Zealand, where he built a life with his beloved wife and their children. At 90, he is now skydiving on his birthday to raise funds for the Heart Foundation.

The Heart Foundation visited Parliament on Tuesday 19 March to provide free heart checks for MPs and their parliamentary staff.

New Zealand footballer Paige Satchell, currently playing for professional club London City Lionesses, is one of a younger generation of Kiwis suffering from heart disease. This February she’s joining the call for Kiwis to get their hearts checked and to donate to the Big Heart Appeal to fund heart research.

Our Stand Strong campaign, which encourages whānau to take control of their heart health, made a splash at the Waka Ama National Sprint Championships at Lake Karāpiro in January. 

When Caroline couldn't face a champagne breakfast on Christmas day, she knew something was wrong. But she never guessed the vomiting and sweating she'd had the night before were signs of a heart attack.

Phil was born with a congenital heart condition, which has required a number of heart surgeries over the years. A keen athlete, Phil had to give up competitive sport but believes it’s worth it for the life he’s got to enjoy.

Wellingtonian Jeff McEwan is living life to its fullest, though just four years ago he was on the operating table receiving life-saving surgery for blockages in his arteries.

Faye, a 48-year-old schoolteacher at a primary school in Whanganui, epitomises the term ‘busy mum’ juggling a job, husband Ivan, and three children. A cardiac arrest at a sports event brought her life to a screeching halt forcing her to reassess things.

For Natalie, a young wife, mother and nurse, a cardiac event happened on what seemed like an ordinary evening. But her nursing background immediately sounded internal alarms and she knew she was experiencing something out of the ordinary.