20 years fighting heart disease

Diagnosed in 1999, Dean has seen heart research transform lives—and now helps in the Big Heart Appeal to make an even bigger impact.

 

Read Dean's story

Staying well with heart failure

My Heart Check

Call the Heart Line

Our purpose: to stop all people in New Zealand dying prematurely from heart disease and enable people with heart disease to live full lives

180,000
people in New Zealand are currently living with heart disease

That's more than one in 23 adults [1]

1 in 3
Almost 1 in 3 deaths in NZ are caused by cardiovascular disease

It is the leading cause of death in New Zealand and includes heart, stroke and blood vessel disease [2]

90 mins
Every 90 minutes a New Zealander dies from heart disease

Many of these deaths are premature and preventable [2]

$95m
The Heart Foundation has invested into research since 1968

I have a heart condition

I want a healthy lifestyle

I am a health professional

I am an educator

I am a food preparer

I am a researcher

News & Stories
21 November 2025 in Media Releases

Success: Less salt in our daily bread

Without most of us noticing, our daily bread has become healthier.

Read more...
11 November 2025 in Stories

From venerated teacher to thoughtful volunteer

An 85% blockage in a major artery changed Philip’s life forever. Gone were his busy days of teaching in schools across Auckland. Instead, he and his wife started a new chapter together in Matamata – a town that Philip considers the epitome of warmth and generosity.

Read more...
11 November 2025 in Stories

From caring practice nurse to big-hearted volunteer

Throughout her thirty-year career looking after others, Diane has seen the impact heart disease has on New Zealanders. Now, following her own diagnosis, she knows exactly how important it is to support life-saving heart research.

Read more...