Australian Centre for Heart Health

15/06/2026

Fabulous interview by Tegan Taylor on the psychological impacts of . The wonderful Libby Trickett OAM OLY shares her story and insights into how she is navigating her recovery. Great to continue to spread the word on this challenging condition.

SCAD Research Inc. Australia
Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute

After hanging up the Olympic swimming goggles, growing and birthing five beautiful children, Libby Trickett was ready to make her 40s the decade of health and fitness. But last June she had what she thought was a bad panic attack. Eight months later, she found out it was actually a spontaneous coron...

06/02/2026

The ACHH Flagship Cardiac Disease, Rehabilitation and Secondary Prevention Training Program returns in 2026, delivering Australia’s most comprehensive and in-depth professional development program in cardiac rehabilitation (CR) and secondary prevention.

- Live interactive online delivery
- 4-day intensive program 18-21 May 2026
- Designed for national and international participants
- Real-time engagement with expert presenters and peers

This program is the leading training resource in CR and secondary prevention in Australia. It combines theory, evidence and practical application to support practitioners working across metropolitan,
regional, rural and remote settings.

Participants will gain the knowledge and skills to design, develop, implement and evaluate high-quality CR and secondary prevention programs, informed by:
- The latest research and evidence-based practice
- Current national and international guidelines
- Insights from ACHH’s world-leading psycho-cardiology

This program is ideal for:
- Experienced CR practitioners seeking to update programs in line with latest evidence and practice
- Practitioners new to CR requiring foundational knowledge and practical skills to establish a CR program

For more information and to register, visit https://events.humanitix.com/australian-centre-for-heart-health-training-course-2026

30/06/2025

Important Update: A New Chapter for Our Cardiac Counselling Clinic

Over the past five years, the Cardiac Counselling Clinic at the Australian Centre for Heart Health has provided effective support to more than 600 clients, helping them navigate recovery and improve wellbeing. We are delighted to share that from 1 July 2025, the Clinic will continue its important work with NeuroCentrix, operating as the Cardiac Psychology Clinic.

The Clinic will continue to be staffed by a team of psychologists with extensive training and experience in cardiac conditions and recovery. Clients will also have access to expanded services through NeuroCentrix, including psychiatry and novel mental health treatments.These treatments will be informed by the ACHH’s own world-leading research and the latest findings from experts in cardiac-related psychological and behavioural care.

Cardiac Psychology will be available Australia-wide via secure telehealth (video) and onsite at their Carlton headquarters.

Referrals can be sent directly to:

Cardiac Psychology Clinic
NeuroCentrix
📞 03 9546 0009
📠 03 9959 8375
📧 [email protected]

Thank you for your trust and support as we open this next chapter.

25/01/2025

CELEBRATING PROFESSOR ALUN JACKSON'S MEMBER OF THE ORDER OF AUSTRALIA (AM) AWARD

We are thrilled to announce that Professor Alun Jackson, Director of the Australian Centre for Heart Health, has been awarded the prestigious Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for his outstanding contributions to public health. This honour reflects Professor Jackson’s unwavering dedication to improving the lives of individuals and families through his pioneering work in behavioural health.

The Member of the Order of Australia is a significant accolade that recognises individuals who have made exceptional contributions to the nation or humanity in general. Past recipients include leaders in medicine, science, education, and the arts, all of whom have profoundly influenced Australian society.

Professor Jackson’s career exemplifies this spirit of service. Internationally recognised, he has developed evidence-based programs addressing critical health and welfare issues, in areas such as cardiovascular disease, HIV/AIDS, behavioural addiction, and chronic disease management. His extensive body of work—18 books and research monographs, over 200 peer-reviewed publications, and contributions to national and international guidelines—continues to shape how we understand and treat complex health challenges.

This award celebrates not only Professor Jackson’s remarkable achievements but also his enduring commitment to advancing cardiovascular health and supporting families impacted by heart disease. It is an honour to see his efforts recognised at this national level.

In accepting the award, Professor Jackson says, "This achievement would not have been possible without the fabulous teams I have worked with, including at the Problem Gambling Research and Treatment Centre at the University of Melbourne and particularly at the Australian Centre for Heart Health. They have my enduring admiration and gratitude."

Please join us in congratulating Professor Jackson on this well-deserved recognition!

19/11/2024

Posttraumatic growth (PTG) refers to the positive psychological changes experienced as a result of struggling with highly challenging life circumstances. It includes improvements in self-perception, interpersonal relationships, and one's approach to life.

In a recent, innovative study of SCAD (spontaneous coronary artery dissection) survivors conducted by the Australian Centre for Heart Health in association with the Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute, PTG was shown to be quite common in this population. In fact, 79% of participants reporting some degree of growth.

Factors that made someone more likely to experience PTG included:

• High social support
• Longer time since the SCAD event
• Greater number of SCADs
• Attendance at cardiac rehabilitation (CR)
• Being non-depressed
• Younger age
• Mid-level education (trade/certificate level)

Conversely, lower levels of PTG were associated with lower social support and higher levels of depression.

This study adds to the Centre's groundbreaking work on assisting SCAD survivors, and reinforces, once again, the importance of offering those who have survived a heart event appropriate psychological support, such as the support we offer via our Cardiac Counselling Clinic.

When the appropriate support is in place, these results suggest that recovering from a heart event can be a time of renewal and hope.
Read the full article at: https://journals.lww.com/hhmi/fulltext/2024/08040/posttraumatic_growth_after_spontaneous_coronary.8.aspx

28/09/2024

WORLD HEART DAY: CARING FOR HEARTS, MINDS AND LIVES

On this World Heart Day, we at the Australian Centre for Heart Health reaffirm our commitment to a holistic approach in fighting heart disease. It's not just about physical health—mental and emotional well-being play a crucial role in heart health too.

Research has shown that psychosocial factors, such as distress, anxiety, and depression, significantly impact the risk and recovery from heart disease. That’s why we offer our Cardiac Counselling Clinic—a safe space designed to help our clients manage these challenges alongside their physical recovery.

Whether our clients are newly diagnosed, recovering from a heart event, or caring for a loved one, we are here to support each client's journey toward a healthier, stronger heart.

27/08/2024

We work closely with colleagues at Federation University in their research on CVD. This study explores insomnia, social support and heart disease.

If you are over 18 you are eligible to complete the questionnaire - it will only takes 5 minutes. More information: https://federation.syd1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_9XLj8DIjKaKers2

07/08/2024

THINKING ABOUT CARDIAC ISSUES DURING LONELINESS AWARENESS WEEK

Loneliness Awareness Week (5-11 August) gives us an opportunity to reflect on how feeling lonely and being socially isolated can affect our cardiovascular health.

Social isolation is associated with high blood pressure, poor physical health, and poor mental health including depression, su***de and dementia. It also contributes to hospital readmission in people with heart failure. Indeed, the health risk associated with social isolation is equal to that of smoking and greater than that of hypertension and obesity.

In studies undertaken at the Australian Centre for Heart Health, we have found that social isolation and loneliness lead to poorer outcomes in people who have had a heart attack or heart surgery. A study of 160 heart attack survivors demonstrated that those who were unpartnered or had no close confidante had an increased risk of anxiety and depression. Moreover, depression tended to worsen in those who had no close confidante after heart surgery. In a study involving 184 people, we found that living alone was the single most important predictor of hospital readmission after heart surgery, even after taking into account both age and disease severity.

These studies show that social isolation and loneliness are associated with poorer recovery after both heart attack and heart surgery.

To find out more about loneliness and how to deal with it, go to https://lonelinessawarenessweek.com.au/ where you can see real stories, including that of Peter who is living with a heart condition. Stories like Peter’s help to spark conversations about why we feel lonely and encourage all Australians to create a culture of connection at home, work, and in the community.

If you or someone you know is experiencing loneliness and social isolation as a result of a cardiac event or surgery, a referral to our Cardiac Counselling Clinic might help. Go to www.australianhearthealth.org.au to refer yourself or someone else.

30/07/2024

ACHH SCAD RESEARCH IN THE NEWS

A recent article from the ABC sheds light on SCAD (Spontaneous Coronary Artery Dissection), a rare and often misdiagnosed cause of heart attack that predominantly affects young women. Jane, a 32-year-old Professor of Nursing in Sydney, experienced a SCAD event without the common risk factors such as high cholesterol or high blood pressure. Her story underscores the urgent need for awareness and research into this condition.

The Australian Centre for Heart Health (ACHH) and Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute (VCCRI) are leading efforts to understand the links between mental health and SCAD. Emerging research suggests that psychological stress might be a contributing factor. Both institutions are dedicated to improving diagnostic techniques and treatment strategies to better support individuals like Jane.

Psychological counselling can be crucial in addressing the mental health impacts of SCAD and other cardiovascular conditions. It helps individuals manage stress, anxiety, and depression, which can be significant factors in both the onset and recovery from heart conditions. The ACHH offers the only dedicated counselling service in Australia focused on treating the mental health effects of cardiovascular disease, providing tailored support to help patients navigate their health journey.

For a deeper dive into Jane’s experience and the latest findings on SCAD, read the full article here:

SCAD causes heart attacks in healthy women under 50, and the high recurrence rate leaves many survivors living in fear.

26/07/2024

On Saturday 27th of July, Dr Barbara Murphy, from the Australian Centre for Heart Health, will be featured on Dr Norman Swan and Tegan Taylor's 'Health Report' on ABC Radio National. She will be talking about some of the Centre's recent collaborative SCAD research. Dr Murphy will be joined by Professor Bob Graham, founding director of the Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute, and a SCAD survivor. Tune in from 9am.

Specialist and mainstream audiences alike rely on Norman Swan to bring clarity to health and medicine — within social, scientific and political contexts.