Heart Research Australia

09/06/2026

A runny nose, a sore throat or a cough might be doing more than just draining your energy. 😷

Cardiologist and Heart Research Australia researcher, Professor Geoff Tofler found that respiratory infections can act as a direct trigger for a heart attack, with the risk peaking in the first seven days of illness.

Because heart attack rates peak during winter alongside cold and flu season, it is crucial to understand how to protect yourself and your family.

We have published the full research findings on our website, along with seven essential tips from Associate Professor Tom Buckley on how to support your immune system this winter. Head over to the article to learn more about the seasonal risks and the preventative steps you can take today.

Respiratory infection can trigger a heart attack: research The risk of experiencing a heart attack is 17 times higher in the seven days following a respiratory infection, according to research

09/06/2026

Today, we join the Australian medical and research community in mourning the passing of Professor Richard Scolyer AO.

Professor Scolyer's contributions to melanoma research and patient care changed countless lives. Through his own courageous journey with glioblastoma, he also became one of Australia's most passionate advocates for the importance of medical research.

Among Professor Scolyer's many extraordinary legacies is his unwavering belief in the power of medical research to change lives.

Every breakthrough, every new treatment and every life saved begins with research. His words serve as a powerful reminder that continued investment in medical research is essential if we are to create a future with fewer lives lost to disease.

Our sincere condolences are with his wife Katie, children Emily, Matthew and Lucy, and all those whose lives he touched. Vale Professor Richard Scolyer AO.

04/06/2026

"Was that our last kiss?"

That was the thought replaying through Bec's mind as the ambulance drove away carrying her husband Joel after a heart attack.

Joel was just 45 years old. Fit, active, and with no obvious warning signs.

In an instant, everything changed.

Every day, more than 25 Australians experience a heart attack without any obvious explanation. We urgently need to know why.
Your tax-time donation can help Heart Research Australia researchers identify hidden heart risks years, or even decades, before a life-changing event occurs.

Give the gift of more time.
All donations over $2 are tax-deductible.
https://donate.heartresearch.com.au/tax?camid=701Mn00001HriDV&utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=A26W2EDM

02/06/2026

Tax time is your chance to make a difference.

For people who have a heart attack without any traditional risk factors, one question remains: Why me?

Professor Gemma Figtree is working to find answers through the BioHEART research project, with the goal of developing a simple blood test to detect plaque early and help prevent heart disease before it strikes.

This kind of life-saving research is only possible with support from people like you. This tax time, please consider making a tax-deductible donation to Heart Research Australia.

Your donation could help fund discoveries that save lives.

Donate today. All donations over $2 are tax-deductible.
https://donate.heartresearch.com.au/tax?camid=701Mn00001HriDV&utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=A26W2EDM

28/05/2026

Thank you so much to the Williams family and their incredible community for the ongoing support in our mission to fund more research into the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of heart disease. ❤️

27/05/2026

Winter is officially making its presence known in Sydney, and while some of us are firmly in the 'loathing it' camp 🌧️❄️❄️⛄, there is one major upside for our animal lovers… the colder weather usually means a little extra affection from our pets. 🐶😽

Yes… that is two dogs fighting for a space on Jenny's lap!

But as the temperature drops, it's not just the extra pet cuddles we need to prepare for. Winter also brings those unwelcome cold and flu bugs.

Did you know that your risk of a heart attack can actually rise in the week following a respiratory infection? Professor Geoffrey Tofler’s research shows that fighting off a common bug can increase inflammation and place extra strain on the cardiovascular system.

The good news is that prevention is powerful. To help you stay healthy and warm this season, Associate Professor Tom Buckley has shared 7 simple winter wellness tips to support your immunity and protect your heart.

🔗https://heartresearch.com.au/7-tips-for-maintaining-a-healthy-immune-system

Stay safe, stay warm, and let us know in the comments: are you team winter or team escaping north? 🌴👇

26/05/2026

The latest Play For Purpose Charity Raffle is now open. By buying a ticket in support of Heart Research Australia, you could win a massive $350K First Prize Pack, including:

🚙 A Land Rover Defender 110 valued at $191,986
💰 $150,000 worth of Gold Bullion
⛽ An $8,013 EG Ampol Fuel Voucher

And the best part? $5 from every ticket bought will come directly back to Heart Research Australia so we can continue to fund much needed, life-saving research. ❤

Make sure you buy your ticket directly from this link: https://www.playforpurpose.com.au/heart-research-australia

25/05/2026

Stories like Libby Trickett’s are powerful because they do more than share one woman’s experience, they help start important conversations about women’s heart health and why it deserves greater focus.

For too long, heart disease has often been misunderstood, under-recognised, or experienced differently in women. By sharing their stories, women help create a stronger voice for awareness, research, and change.

Research is already showing why this matters. Professor Gemma Figtree’s SWEDEHEART study found that patients with no traditional cardiovascular risk factors were almost 50% more likely to die within 30 days of a heart attack, with women experiencing the worst outcomes. The study also found women in this group were less likely to receive some evidence-based medications on discharge, highlighting the need to better understand and respond to heart disease in women.

At Heart Research Australia, we are proud to fund researchers, including many leading female scientists, whose work is helping improve our understanding of heart disease and drive better outcomes for all Australians.

If you’d like to learn more about why women experience heart disease differently, Dr Monique Watts explores this in her article, Closing the gap: Recognising, understanding and responding to the unique challenges of cardiovascular disease in women: https://heartresearch.com.au/closing-the-gap/

If you would like to share your own experience of heart disease, we’d love to hear from you. You can email us at [email protected].

7NEWS Australia

21/05/2026

We extend our deepest gratitude to the Kiama Power Football Club and the Williams family for their ongoing support.

Since 2019, we have partnered with them to honour the memory of Darren Williams, a beloved club legend who tragically passed away from a heart attack while watching his sons play footy.

His legacy lives on through the dedication of his family, the Kiama Power Football Club and the surrounding Kiama community, and their determination to change the future of heart disease. Kiama Power

18/05/2026

MAJOR INVESTMENT TO SUPPORT CARDIAC RESEARCH

Heart Research Australia has committed $1.12 million to advance heart research at Heart Research Australia in 2026, backing a mix of new and continuing projects across the campus at Royal North Shore Hospital.

The funding will support 10 new research grants and continue six existing projects, strengthening both clinical and laboratory-based cardiovascular research.

Key work includes:

Dr Chi-Chia Liu, optimising pacemakers for better patient outcomes
Associate Professor Rebecca Kozor, improving simpler monitoring for genetic heart disease
Professor Helge Rasmussen, repurposing an existing medication to treat pre-eclampsia during pregnancy

The package also includes scholarships for four PhD candidates, helping build the next generation of cardiovascular researchers.

NSLHD Chief Executive Anthony Schembri said the investment goes beyond funding, giving researchers the ability to ask bigger questions and improve outcomes for patients.

Full list of recipients: Heart Research Australia 2026 grant recipients: https://heartresearch.com.au/2026-grant-recipients/