Stories

In 2008, when Cherie Te Rore’s beloved husband Te Ohomauri Brown (Oho), died of a heart attack aged 50, she began to run.

Despite his second open-heart surgery four months ago, Bevan Ellis (27) is about to walk the 75km Hillary Trail to raise funds for the Heart Foundation, and show others what can be achieved with a heart condition and bucket loads of determination.

This Kiwi mum remains positive despite her unpredictable heart condition, atrial fibrillation but she says some days are "just plain tough".

Celeste Esera, now 34, coped with a hole in her heart, open-heart surgery, a rare heart condition diagnosis, atrial fibrillation and several heart procedures, but her biggest hurdle was yet to come...

Support for the Heart Foundation comes full circle as this courageous adventurer gives back to the organisation that helped save his life, by embarking on a global cycling adventure.

Cyclist Shirley Johnstone can suffer a cardiac arrest or unconsciousness if she over-exerts herself, yet she completed a 656km cycle to raise funds for the Heart Foundation.

When Rotorua bus driver Tony Karaka woke one morning in 2014 with a tight chest and short of breath, he never considered he could be having a heart attack. At just 42, he thought he was way too young.

Wayne Giles is professionally trained to recognise a heart attack, yet when he had one himself, he initially thought it was a pulled muscle.

A restaurant-owner's young son gets involved in the family business by creating a healthy kids' menu. The results are fantastic!

Elaine Kirk’s heart attack was such a shock for the fit, non-smoking 57-year-old that she now makes good nutrition her main priority.

Unaware that he had experienced a heart attack during the night, West Coast farmer John Michell persevered with the farm chores that weekend. Now one year after undergoing a double bypass operation, John is determined not to let his heart event get the better of him.

After gaining valuable experience at a world-leading medical centre in France, Dr Darren Hooks is now back home using his skills and talent to improve lives in New Zealand.