Her Heart is a health promotion Charity and registered not-for-profit organization that aims to educate women on the risks of heart disease, as very few women know that it is their biggest killer.
What is Her Heart?
What is Her Heart’s Mission?
As the only not-for-profit organisation dedicated to improving women’s heart health, we want to reduce the impact of cardiovascular disease on women by driving evidence-based awareness, education, research, and advocacy, and by influencing policy, practice, and priorities so women’s needs are visible, valued, and addressed across the cardiovascular health landscape.
How many women in Australia suffer from heart disease every year?
1 in 3 women in Australia will die of heart disease, that is one woman every hour that dies in Australia – that’s over 12 million women, and it’s rising.
How many women are at risk of heart disease?
Over three quarters of women have at least one risk factor for heart disease and many women have two or three risk factors. 90% of cardiac events occur with only one risk factor.
What are the risk factors you can’t change?
Risk factors we can’t do a lot about include age; gender; family history that includes the death of a close relative such as a mother, father, or sibling of heart disease; and ethnicity with people from Torres Strait Island or Aboriginal backgrounds at an increased risk. Women from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) and migrant backgrounds often also face unique social, economic, and structural challenges that can influence their heart health.
What are the risk factors you can change?
Those risk factors we can control or do something about include smoking, high blood pressure, diabetes, being overweight or obese, high cholesterol, and high-stress levels.
How important is regular exercise in reducing my risk of developing heart disease?
Regular exercise is very important in helping reduce your risk. Physical exercise can help to reduce stress through calming the mind (walking 30 minutes a day can lower symptoms of depression by 36%), it reduces blood pressure, as well as the “bad” cholesterol and allows more oxygen to the cells. It has an effect on reducing weight, which is important, as carrying a lot of weight – especially around your middle is not good for your heart.
How often should I exercise?
You should try to do 20 -30 minutes of moderate physical activity – this might be a brisk walk and if you can do this at least three to four times a week – it will cut your risk of heart disease by 50%.
How quickly can someone see an improvement in their heart health after quitting smoking?
The single most beneficial thing that you can do for your heart health is to stop smoking. Smokers are 2-4 times more at risk of developing heart disease compared to non-smokers. If you stop smoking – within a few days you will see improvements such as being able to taste your food better. In a few months your lungs will improve by over a third. In a year, you would have cut your risk of a heart attack by 50%. If you Vape – consider stopping.
Who founded Her Heart?
Prof. Linda Worrall-Carter is our Founder, Director & CEO, she is an international authority on Heart Disease in women and the organisation was established in 2015.
Where is Her Heart based?
Her Heart HQ is based in Melbourne, Australia; but the Her Heart Hub has been global since it was launched and has representation in every country in the world.
Where does my donation go?
All donations (unless specified otherwise) go directly to raising awareness in the form of campaigns and towards educational programs specific for women.
What does Her Heart do with my personal information?
Her Heart uses your personal information only to manage your request, such as a donation, registration, payment, or subscription. Your information is handled securely, is not shared with third parties, and is managed in accordance with our Privacy Policy, which explains how information is collected, stored, and used.
Is my donation tax-deductible?
Yes, any donation over $2 is fully tax-deductible.
Why does Her Heart focus only on women?
Her Heart focuses on women because heart disease remains the leading cause of death for women and is often misunderstood, under-recognised, and under-treated. Women can experience different symptoms to men, are less likely to receive timely, life-saving treatments, and continue to experience poorer outcomes after heart attack. These gaps highlight the need for dedicated awareness, education, research, and advocacy focused specifically on women’s heart health.
How can you help?
There are many ways to support Her Heart, and every contribution helps strengthen efforts to improve women’s heart health. Whether time, expertise, or financial support is available, involvement can be shaped to suit individual circumstances. Support may include making a donation, sharing lived experience, volunteering skills, or partnering with Her Heart to support programs, research, education, and advocacy that place women at the centre of heart health.