The power of a healthy cardiovascular system for your heart
Discover how the cardiovascular system works, its importance for your overall health, and ways to keep it healthy and protect your heart for years to come.
What is non-HDL cholesterol?
Understand safe levels of non-HDL cholesterol and why it's vital for your heart health.
What do lipids tell us in a blood test?
Get the facts on cholesterol and lipid profile blood tests. Discover what your results mean and how they affect your health.
What is normal blood pressure by age?
Discover how your age affects your blood pressure. Find out the normal range of blood pressure by age to maintain good health and prevent disease.
Get the facts about heart stress tests
Do you need an exercise stress test for your heart health? Look for the signs and learn how it can help you.
Understand aortic stenosis
Wondering if you have aortic stenosis? Its symptoms vary from mild to severe. Get the facts now.
Blood clots: symptoms and causes
Blood clotting is a natural process that occurs to prevent excessive bleeding. However, blood clots can also form on the inside of blood vessels.
Thrombosis: symptoms and causes
Thrombosis is when a blood clot (thrombus) forms inside a blood vessel, potentially blocking the flow of blood through the circulatory system and causing serious health issues.
The 12 most common heart and cardiovascular conditions and what you can do about them
Heart and cardiovascular conditions can be life-changing. Understand the impact of these common conditions, and find out what you can do about them.
The human heart
Find out more about the human heart – the main organ of your circulatory system – and its essential role in the body.
Heart failure
Heart failure is when the heart does not work as well as it should in pumping blood and oxygen around the body, causing extra fluid to build up in the body.
Cardiac arrest
A cardiac arrest is when the heart suddenly stops beating. It is a medical emergency and can be fatal without immediate treatment.
Cardiovascular disease: impacts and risks
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) refers to all the diseases of the heart and circulation, including coronary heart disease, atrial fibrillation, heart attack, congenital heart disease and stroke.
Diabetes
Diabetes is a condition in which the body cannot maintain healthy blood glucose levels. People living with type 2 diabetes are over twice as likely to develop cardiovascular disease.
Risk factors for cardiovascular disease
There is no one cause of cardiovascular disease (CVD), but there are several factors that increase your risk – some that can be changed, and some that cannot.
Stroke: symptoms, causes and prevention
A stroke occurs when the brain does not get the blood supply that it needs.
High blood pressure: definition, causes and symptoms
High blood pressure (hypertension) is cause for concern as it can damage the arteries over the long term and increase the risk of cardiovascular diseases.
Understanding what is high cholesterol: signs & symptoms
High cholesterol levels can increase the risk of cardiovascular disease.
Uncover the difference between heart attack and sudden cardiac arrest
Discover the key distinctions between cardiac arrest and heart attack. Learn about signs and symptoms, and how to react in each situation.
What does a heart attack feel like: symptoms and warning signs
A heart attack occurs when the heart is deprived of oxygen due to a blockage in one of the coronary arteries that supplies blood to the heart.
Heart attack symptoms and warning signs in women
A heart attack is a critical event. Know the symptoms and warning signs of heart attack in women so that you can seek emergency help immediately if you suspect a heart attack.
Coronary heart disease
Coronary heart disease, also known as coronary artery disease, is a common condition where the major blood vessels to the heart become blocked and narrowed.
Women and heart disease
Heart disease and heart attacks are often associated with older men, but women are just as affected. It is important to be aware of the unique warning signs and risks that women experience.
Acute coronary syndrome
Acute coronary syndrome (ACS) is an umbrella term for situations where blood supply to the heart is blocked.
Obstructive sleep apnoea: causes and symptoms
Obstructive sleep apnoea (apnea) is a sleep disorder where breathing repeatedly stops and starts.
Brain functions and how the brain works
The brain is an essential, complex organ. It controls the functions and processes that regulate the body.
Peripheral artery disease
Peripheral artery disease (PAD) is a type of cardiovascular disease in which the narrowing of arteries results in reduced blood flow to a body part outside of the heart or brain.
Atherosclerotic plaque
Atherosclerotic plaque is composed of fat, cholesterol, calcium and inflammatory cells that build up on the inside of the body’s arteries.
Atherosclerosis: causes and risk factors
Atherosclerosis is the main underlying cause of cardiovascular disease.
Congenital heart disease
Congenital heart disease is a general term for problems with the heart’s structure that are present from birth. It is the most common type of birth defect.
Irregular heartbeat: symptoms and causes
An irregular or abnormal heartbeat (arrhythmia) is when the heart rhythm is not steady.
Preeclampsia: signs, symptoms and treatment
Preeclampsia is a serious condition where high blood pressure develops during pregnancy, affecting both the mother and unborn baby.
Inactivity and a sedentary lifestyle
Lifestyles have become more sedentary, and this inactivity can negatively impact health.
Atrial fibrillation: irregular heartbeat
Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a type of abnormal heart rhythm where the heart beats irregularly – it may be rapid or slow.
Does alcohol increase blood pressure?
Discover the link between alcohol and high blood pressure. Explore the effects of alcohol on the body and learn how to manage your blood pressure for better health.
Smoking and heart disease
Smoking is a major risk factor for many chronic diseases and reduces health in general.
Obesity and overweight
Obesity and being overweight is a condition where a person carries excessive body fat that presents a risk to health.
Heart disease in the Māori community
Māori adults have higher rates of most health conditions – including coronary heart disease, stroke and diabetes – and lower access to health care than non-Māori adults.