Heart Foundation NZ

27/05/2026

A lucky ticketholder from Kaikohe will have lots to celebrate this weekend – we just called and told them they’ve won $10,000 in our Early-Buy draw!

You haven't missed out just yet. Buy your $15 tickets in Lottery No. 162 today and you'll be in to win a beautiful Jennian home in Richmond, Nelson – valued at $1.075 million, plus more! Buy tickets: https://hfnz.org/431731l

27/05/2026

Checking your blood pressure at home can make a real difference to your heart health. It gives you a clearer picture of what’s happening day to day, not just at the doctor’s office.

Regular home monitoring can help you:

track changes over time
spot high blood pressure early
see how lifestyle changes or medication are working
feel more in control of your health.

No monitor at home? You still have options. Blood pressure monitors are often available at local pharmacies, and many offer free checks.

Link in comments to find out more.

This Blood Pressure Awareness Month, take a simple step that could protect your heart.

25/05/2026

There’s still time to get your blood pressure checked at one of our free pop-up events.

Find out where we’ll be by clicking the link in the comments below.

High blood pressure is one of the main causes of heart attack and stroke. The tricky thing is, you can’t feel high blood pressure – so you could be at risk and not know it.

It only takes a few minutes to get your blood pressure checked. It could be one of the most important things you do for your health this month.

22/05/2026

Today is Gout Awareness Day.

If you have gout, you also have a higher risk of some heart conditions, including heart attack and strokes.

The good news is, these simple steps can help you manage your gout and your heart health.

Maintain a healthy weight by focusing on eating lots of vegetables and fruit, with small portions of animal proteins.

Aim for at least five servings of vegetables and two servings of fruit each day, plenty of wholegrains and low-fat dairy, and water as your main drink.

Limit:
red and organ meats
shellfish
sugary drinks
and alcohol – especially beer and spirits, which can raise uric acid and should be avoided during gout attacks.

So join me in following these simple steps to show some love for your heart and your joints! 💕

21/05/2026

It wasn’t until he went for a routine eye test that Stephen Clarke found out he had dangerously high blood pressure. Clarke, 38, had suffered from eye issues and severe headaches for several years but never thought it was related to blood pressure. Now, with medication and regular check-ups, he has his blood pressure under control, and no more headaches!

High blood pressure damages your arteries and can lead to heart attack. There are 350,000 New Zealanders living with undiagnosed high blood pressure.

This May, we’re encouraging all New Zealanders to get their blood pressure checked. Visit one of our free pop-up events around the country or talk to your GP or local pharmacy https://hfnz.org/3RDqtqx.

Read Stephen’s story here https://hfnz.org/43sOqn3

21/05/2026

Get your tickets by Friday 22 May and you’ll be in the Early-Buy draw for a cool $10,000! All tickets are also in to win the fantastic million-dollar Jennian home in Richmond and a $15,000 travel prize. Don’t miss out!

Buy tickets now: https://hfnz.org/4dmvnRk

20/05/2026

Are butter and beef fat back? 🧈 Dave Monro, our Chief Advisor Food and Nutrition, has the latest. https://hfnz.org/48EDSEK

20/05/2026

Today we celebrate International Clinical Trials Day, a day that recognises the vital role clinical trials play in patient care and treatment.

On 20 May 1747, James Lind conducted the first known controlled clinical trial involving 12 sailors with scurvy. It was a medical landmark.

Nearly three centuries later, the need for robust, large-scale clinical trials is greater than ever. With heart disease remaining New Zealand's single leading cause of death, research in this space is essential.

That’s why each year we invest around $4 million into heart research and training for New Zealand cardiologists.

Find out more about the research we fund below.

From harnessing smarter technologies to pioneering new approaches, in 2025 we're investing $4.2 million into vital heart research.

18/05/2026

Sue Smith felt healthy. She had no warning signs.

But unnoticed, high blood pressure was quietly damaging her body until the day she suffered a devastating aortic dissection, a life‑threatening medical emergency that changed her life.

In the emergency ward, doctors told her, “You could die before we get you to theatre.”

Thankfully, Sue survived and is sharing her story so others don’t have to learn the hard way.

Knowing your blood pressure, getting it checked regularly, and acting early can save lives. https://hfnz.org/3ReLsjn

16/05/2026

Today is World Hypertension Day - a day that raises awareness of the dangers of high blood pressure.

High blood pressure is one of the main causes of heart attack and stroke. The tricky thing is, you can’t feel high blood pressure – so you could be at risk and not even know it.

That’s why we’re encouraging all New Zealanders to get their blood pressure checked this May. Our Heart Health Promoters are holding free blood pressure pop-up events around the country. And thanks to our partnership with Green Cross Health, selected Unichem and Life Pharmacy stores across New Zealand will be offering blood pressure checks during the month of May.

Find out where we’ll be by clicking on the link in the comments below.

It only takes a few minutes to get your blood pressure checked. It could be one of the most important things you do for your health this year 💖