Science & Human Interest Stories
Take a read through as our experts break down the hot topics in health and heart research. Learn more about your heart health and what's happening in the scientific world.
39 articles
How does smoking affect the heart
03 May 2024
Smoking damages blood vessels, speeds up the formation of plaque in the coronary arteries and doubles the risk of heart attack and stroke.
Exercise and heart health
29 March 2024
Exercise helps to strengthen the heart muscle and blood vessels, which improves the heart’s ability to pump blood and oxygen throughout the body.
Understanding why some families are prone to ‘big hearts’
19 January 2024
Prof Livia Hool has been working for over 15 years to try to answer one question: what causes some people to develop big hearts or HCM
What lies beyond: Uncovering the secrets of the dark genome
17 January 2024
This area is known as the ‘dark genome’, and it’s of particular interest to the Institute’s Associate Professor Emily Wong and her team.
How to prepare writing a Will
30 November 2023
Putting together your Will might seem overwhelming, we’ve created this step-by-step guide to make writing your Will as easy as possible.
Research Overview: Congenital Heart Disease & B3 Link
17 October 2023
Professor Sally Dunwoodie and her team have found a genetic cause for various heart and other birth defects and, crucially, a possible way to prevent some cases.
Six things I would never do as a female cardiologist
12 October 2023
Cardiologist and heart researcher Dr Lucy McGrath-Cadell shares her simple advice for women to protect their heart health.
Noise and light pollution could be impacting your heart health
10 October 2023
Read about the negative impact of noise and light pollution on our hearts - leaf blowing or that extra bright streetlight may be more than a slight annoyance.
Eating a heart-friendly diet on a budget
12 September 2023
Eating on a budget shouldn’t come at the cost of our health, here's our top tips to maintain a heart and wallet-friendly diet.
Drinking and heart health
06 September 2023
Our Experts decipher the mixed messages we receive when it comes to alcohol and heart health.
Fibre: good for your gut and your heart
13 June 2023
Fibre not only plays a crucial role in keeping your digestive system happy, it is essential component of a heart-friendly diet.
Why fish is your heart’s best friend
28 April 2023
Fish is not only lower in saturated fat and a good source of protein and iodine - it contains heart-friendly unsaturated fats known as omega-3 fatty acids.
Institute's Innovation Centre playing key role in delivering new stroke treatments
20 April 2023
Dr Kirsten Coupland from University of Newcastle is utilising the Institute’s Innovation Centre to shed light on the inner workings of the brain.
Saving hearts to save lives
13 April 2023
Professor Peter Macdonald opens up about his career as a cardiologist and scientist, 'Heart in a Box', and the potential of deadly spider venom.
STEM Stars of the Future
07 March 2023
We interview 2022 Victor Chang School Science Award winners Wenona School students Mimi Atkins and Sophie Ingham
Why the Mediterranean diet still matters
07 February 2023
While other diets come and go, this is one way of eating that continues to be the gold standard for heart health - ranked best diet of 2023.
Acknowledgement of Country
The Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute acknowledges Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia and recognises the continuing connection to lands, waters and communities. We pay our respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures; and to Elders past and present.
