Taking Care of Your Heart
Small Steps, Stronger Health
How can cardiac rehabilitation support your recovery after a heart event?
Learn how cardiovascular self-management, primary prevention, cardiac rehabilitation, healthy habits and emotional support can help reduce heart disease risk and recover well after a heart event.
Cardiovascular self-management
Cardiovascular self-management means taking an active, supported role in your heart health. For some people, this means reducing the risk of heart disease before it develops through primary prevention. For others, it means recovering after a heart event with cardiac rehabilitation, medical care, emotional support and healthy daily habits.
You do not need to do this alone - your care team can help you understand your risk, make a plan and take small, achievable steps toward better heart health.
What is cardiovascular self-management?
Cardiovascular self-management is about building the knowledge, skills and confidence to support your heart health every day, while maintaining quality of life so you can keep doing the things you love.
It may include:
understanding your personal heart disease risk
knowing what your blood pressure and cholesterol results mean
taking medicines as prescribed
attending regular GP or specialist appointments
being physically active in a safe way
eating in a heart-healthy way
being smoke-free
looking after stress, sleep and emotional wellbeing
joining cardiac rehabilitation after a heart event, if recommended
Self-management does not mean managing your heart health on your own. It means being supported to make informed choices that suit your health needs, values, culture, lifestyle and goals.
How can primary prevention reduce the risk of heart disease?
Primary prevention means taking steps to reduce the chance of heart disease developing in the first place.
This can be especially important if you have risk factors such as:
high blood pressure
high cholesterol
diabetes
smoking
a family history of heart disease
reduced physical activity
long-term stress
poor sleep
other chronic health conditions
Some risk factors, such as age, family history and ethnicity, cannot be changed. Others can be supported through regular health checks, medical care and realistic lifestyle changes.
A good place to start is with your GP. A Heart Health Check can help you understand your risk of heart attack or stroke and what you can do to lower that risk.¹
Practical primary prevention tips
Small changes can make a real difference over time. You might start with:
booking a GP appointment to discuss your heart health risk
asking about your blood pressure and cholesterol results
walking for 10 minutes a day and building up gradually
choosing more vegetables, fruit, wholegrains, legumes, nuts and seeds
asking for support to stop smoking
taking medicines as prescribed
making sleep and stress care part of your health plan
setting one realistic goal at a time
The aim is not perfection. The aim is to take the next helpful step.
How does cardiac rehabilitation help after a heart event?
Cardiac rehabilitation supports recovery after a heart attack, stent procedure, bypass surgery, valve surgery, heart failure diagnosis or another heart condition.
A cardiac rehabilitation program usually includes:
safe exercise guidance
education about your heart condition
support to understand your medicines
help with lifestyle changes
emotional wellbeing support
guidance for returning to daily activities
strategies to reduce the chance of future heart problems
Cardiac rehabilitation may be offered face-to-face, online, by phone, in a group, one-to-one, in hospital, in the community or at home.²
For many people, cardiac rehabilitation can help reduce fear, rebuild confidence and provide a clear path forward after a heart event.
Why is emotional support important for heart health?
Heart health is not only physical. A heart diagnosis or heart event can affect confidence, mood, relationships, work, sleep and everyday life.
Some may feel:
worried about another heart event
nervous about exercise or activity
unsure which symptoms are normal
frustrated by changes to routine
low in mood or tired
isolated or overwhelmed
worried about family, work or finances
These responses are common. They are not a sign of weakness.
Emotional support can help members feel heard, understood and more confident to keep going with their health plan.
Helpful supports may include:
speaking with your GP or cardiac rehabilitation team
asking a cardiac nurse questions about symptoms or recovery
talking with family, friends or carers
joining a peer support group
seeing a psychologist, counsellor or social worker
practising breathing, relaxation or mindfulness strategies
setting small goals and celebrating progress
If you are feeling persistently low, anxious or overwhelmed, it is important to tell your GP or care team. Mental wellbeing is part of heart health care.
Who can support you with heart health self-management?
You are at the centre of your care team. Depending on your needs, your team may include:
GP
cardiologist
cardiac nurse or cardiac educator
exercise physiologist
physiotherapist
dietitian
pharmacist
psychologist, counsellor or social worker
Each person can support a different part of your care. Your GP may help coordinate your plan. Your cardiologist may guide treatment. A pharmacist can explain medicines. A dietitian can support heart-healthy eating. An exercise physiologist or physiotherapist can help you move safely. A mental health professional can support emotional recovery and coping.
What questions should you ask your care team?
Helpful questions include:
“What is my current heart disease risk?”
“What do my blood pressure and cholesterol results mean?”
“Might I have undiagnosed type 2 diabetes?”
“What changes would make the biggest difference for me?”
“Do I need medicines to reduce my risk?”
“Would cardiac rehabilitation be suitable for me?”
“What symptoms should I watch for?”
“Who should I contact if my symptoms change?”
“What emotional support is available?”
“What is one realistic step I can start with this week?”
Writing questions down before appointments can help you feel more prepared.
Myth busting: heart health self-management
Myth 1: “Self-management means I have to do everything myself.”
Fact: Self-management means you are supported to take an active role in your care. Your care team, family, community supports and health programs can all help.
Myth 2: “Heart disease prevention only matters when I am older.”
Fact: It is never too early or too late to support your heart health. Understanding your risk and making small changes can help at many stages of life.
Myth 3: “Cardiac rehabilitation is only for people who are very unwell.”
Fact: Cardiac rehabilitation can support people after many types of heart events, procedures or diagnoses. Programs are designed to be safe and tailored to each person.
Myth 4: “If I feel anxious after a heart event, I should just push through.”
Fact: Feeling worried or low after a heart event is common. Emotional support is an important part of recovery and long-term heart health.
Myth 5: “I have to change everything at once.”
Fact: Small, realistic steps are often more sustainable. One change at a time can still move you toward better heart health.
FAQ’s
What is cardiovascular self-management?
Cardiovascular self-management means taking an active role in your heart health with support from your care team. It includes understanding your risk, attending appointments, taking medicines as prescribed, building healthy habits and knowing when to ask for help.
What is primary prevention?
Primary prevention means reducing the risk of heart disease before it develops. This may include regular health checks, managing blood pressure and cholesterol, being active, eating for heart health, being smoke-free and supporting emotional wellbeing.
What is cardiac rehabilitation?
Cardiac rehabilitation is a structured program that supports recovery after a heart event, heart procedure or heart condition diagnosis. It usually includes exercise guidance, education, emotional support and practical strategies for long-term heart health.
Do I need cardiac rehabilitation after a heart event?
Many people benefit from cardiac rehabilitation after a heart attack, angina, stent procedure, heart surgery, heart failure diagnosis or other heart condition. Ask your GP, cardiologist or cardiac nurse whether it is right for you.
What is the first step I can take?
A good first step is to book an appointment with your GP to discuss your heart health risk or recovery plan. You can also write down your questions, check your key health numbers and choose one small goal that feels achievable.
How can Westfund help you?
At Westfund, we’re always looking for ways to be healthier and connected. That’s why our Health and Wellbeing programs* are included in eligible covers, to help you reach your health goals. They include:
· Cardihab. Digital cardiac care programs to help you manage your heart health from the comfort of home, whether you're at risk of heart disease or are living with a heart condition.
· Healthy Weight for Life. Westfund members who have hospital cover and have been diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes, Cardiovascular disease or Osteoarthritis can take part in this program
· Mental Health Coaching – Your Heart and Mind The Your Heart and Mind program is here to provide support after a heart health concern, helping you feel more confident about getting back to your daily routine. It focuses on developing supportive behaviours that benefit your mental health.
To find out whether you may be eligible, check your cover with Westfund or speak to the team directly – call 1300 937 838.
Heart health is a lifelong journey
Whether you are focused on reducing your risk before heart disease develops, or recovering after a heart event, you do not need to do it alone.
With the right care team, practical education, emotional support, healthy daily habits and rehabilitation support when needed, cardiovascular self-management can help you feel more informed, more confident and more in charge of your heart health.
Every step matters — no matter how small.
The information provided is general in nature and does not replace professional medical advice.
*Annual limits, waiting periods and eligibility criteria apply. Benefits and programs are subject to your level of cover. Please refer to your Policy Summary or check your Extras limits via Members Online or the Westfund app for full details.
References
Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. Heart, stroke and vascular disease: Australian facts. Canberra: AIHW; 2026. Available from: https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/heart-stroke-vascular-diseases/hsvd-facts/contents/about
National Heart Foundation of Australia. What is cardiac rehab? Melbourne: Heart Foundation; 2026. Available from: https://www.heartfoundation.org.au/your-heart/support/cardiac-rehabilitation
Resources
Keeping your heart healthy | Heart Foundation
Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute Health Hub