@Heart has been providing support services to children with heart conditions and their families since 1984.  Our practical and emotional support is vital for those affected, helping them cope with the day-to-day challenges of living with a childhood heart condition.

The services we provide include (but are not limited to) information, training, counselling and psychological support, specialised equipment, camps, family matching, social affiliation and financial assistance.

Download a copy of @Heart information brochure.   

We have a variety of easy to understand publications and online information resources available.  The publications have been written by parents and medical professionals for use by parents, teachers, caregivers, nurses and anyone else affected by a childhood heart condition.

In addition to the resources and information produced by @Heart and available from this website, there is a wealth of other information available that may be of interest to families with heart children.

A list of links to related sites and information on the internet is provided; please email us if you would like to suggest any links to add to this page.

We have also provided a list of books and other resources, books published by @Heart, and contact information for organisations that are working in the area of heart children, heart disease research and support services.

Functions of the heart

Place your flat hand on your chest. If you concentrate really hard you may feel a thump thump thump.

Can you feel it? This is your heart. More>>

Resources

• Conditions & Treatments Explained
• @Heart Books
• Books & Other Resources
• Links to Other Organisations

Conditions and Treatments Explained

@Heart is pleased to offer an online resource for people wishing to know more about the various heart conditions. The site includes details on tests, procedures and operations along with information on health and nutrition, exercise, schooling, adult congenital heart issues. The website uses coloured and animated illustrations of many congenital heart conditions. It also includes a glossary of terms and an explanation of tests and procedures. Click this link www.heartnz.congenital.org to view the site or select one of the images below to choose a topic of your choice.

Dr Tom Gentles, Clinical Director of the Paediatric Congenital Cardiac Service at Starship Hospital endorses this information service. "@Heart provides an excellent support service for a great many children with heart conditions, and their families. This new service will provide a great deal of valuable information and advice for those affected by congenital heart disease including parents, medical and healthcare professionals alike." 

Family Support is one of @Heart's key strategic goals, aiming to develop the Family Support Service to create a nationwide network of support workers, trained and motivated to work with our heart kids, teens, adults and their families.

Our team of dedicated family support workers provide much-needed support to heart families when they are in hospital and when they return home.  They visit families, assess their needs, provide practical and emotional assistance, and connect them to appropriate community services and professional help.

As part of our Family Support services, we publish information leaflets about Children in Hospital, Starship Hospital, Ward 23B and Returning to School.

This section of the website provides online access to the full text of our print material which you can view online, download and print.

• Children in Hospital
• Starship
• Ward 23B
• Returning to School

Camp Brave Hearts

Camp Brave Hearts is a dynamic national camp where Kids@Heart aged between 8 and 12 years can participate in a range of outdoor activities in a fun, safe environment under the careful supervision of a medical team. Camp Brave Hearts is a great opportunity for children to try new experiences and to get to know others with similar health challenges.

Click here to read more about Camp Brave Hearts 2012.

Click here to view photos from past camps.

Camp Teen Beat caters for Teens@Heart aged between 13 to 17 years. Like the Camp for younger participants, this five-day outdoor pursuit camp focuses on learning life skills and building friendships, confidence, and self-esteem in teenagers with a heart condition.  It is an opportunity for them to mix with their peers, getting to know others with similar experiences and challenges, as well as, where applicable, talk to professionals and other young people about their forthcoming transition into the adult cardiology wards of Auckland Hospital.

Click here to view photos from past camps.

These blood testing machines (designed for home use) can be provided free of charge to @Heart members on anti-coagulant medication. 

Prior to the Anti-Coagulant Machine Project, blood testing meant lengthy visits to a laboratory or hospital and blood taken from a needle inserted into the child's vein. For the children, the tests were frightening and traumatic.

With Anti-Coagulant machines, blood testing now means no pain, no tears, nor car trips. Parents and children can conduct the required blood test themselves, at home, with just one drop of blood taken from a finger prick. It's quite simply changing lives.

@Heart’s Anti-Coagulant Machine Project has been running for over ten years, increasing the quality of life of hundreds of children and families across the country.

SaveMart has been the main sponsor of @Heart’s Anti-Coagulant Machine Project since 2004.

Read more here. 

Check out what's on offer for young people in New Zealand living with a congenital heart condition or who have acquired a heart condition in childhood.

You'll find a "Guide to" series of links and information pages on the care for adults born with a heart defect, as well as Scholarships which are available.

Find out more about Adults with Congenital Heart Conditions.

Heart Forum

Fomerly called Boot Camp, Heart Forum gives an opportunity for heart adults aged between 18 - 25 years to attend workshops and training sessions that cover a range of topics.  They also have the opportunity to socialise, network and have fun.  In the meantime if you have any enquiries please call Susan Muller, Youth & Adult Services Coordinator on 09 377 9950 Ext 803 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Click here to view photos from past Boot Camps.

Patron Teen Scholarships 2011 recipients

Congratulations to Steph Woods (Christchurch), Sophie Carter (Auckland), Taryn Kelly (Palmerston North) and Alice Pardoe (Napier) for being awarded the @Heart Patron Teen Scholarships. The Scholarships aim to help our heart teens aged between 17-20 years to further their personal and educational development. 

18-year-old Steph Woods’ childhood experience has helped to form her goals in life.  Since she was 13 months old, she has been in and out of hospitals for surgeries and medical procedures to help correct her heart conditions.  Contrary to what others might think, she loved her hospital experience.  Her childhood experience undoubtedly fuelled her interest in medicine.  She is now in her Second Year of Medicine at the University of Otago. The scholarship will help to pay for her accommodation in Dunedin and other study expenses.

Despite having a heart condition, Sophie Carter (18) carries a positive attitude to life. She gives everything a go and never hesitates to undertake challenges, as demonstrated by her completion of the Bronze and Silver levels of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Hillary Award.  Sophie has a keen interest in plant science and was recently accepted into the Bachelor of Science programme at the University of Waikato.  She is now a step closer to fulfilling her dream of being a plant scientist.

Born with Tetralogy of Fallot, 19-year-old heart teen Taryn Kelly did not let her heart condition deter her from doing what she wanted to do in life.  In Taryn’s words, ‘growing up with a heart condition is not the easiest thing to do.  It is a journey of ups and downs, adversity, strength and hope.’  She is studying Japanese and Linguistics at Massey University. She will use the scholarship towards her tertiary education.

Ever since she was a small child, Alice Pardoe (19) has been involved in theatre undertaking roles both on and off stage.  Her talent in performing arts has recently earned her a place in the prestigious drama school Toi Whakaari in Wellington.  She is undertaking a three-year Bachelor’s Degree in Performing Arts Management in Toi Whakaari to further develop her skills in production management.

The trustees were impressed with the recipients’ positive attitude, eagerness to learn, determination to succeed and commitment to @Heart. The recipients do not let their heart conditions stop them from pursuing their dreams.  We are glad to be a part of their journey by providing them with the practical, emotional and financial support they need. We wish them success with their further study.

Steph Woods' heart story


Sophie Carter's heart story

Taryn Kelly's heart story