New Zealand's death rates due to heart disease were among the highest in the world at the time.

[citation needed] In 2015 the foundation released a television advertisement asking viewers "who gives the most realistic performance of a heart attack?

[3] The foundation recommends a diet low in saturated fat and high in unsaturated fats (monosaturated and polyunsaturated) from nuts, seeds, plant oils, avocado and oily fish to reduce heart disease risk.

[citation needed] In 2017 the Heart Foundation funded a two-year study into the link between heart disease and mental illness,[11] to be carried out by Professor Bart Ellenbroek and his research team at Victoria University, Wellington.

[12][13] The Heart Foundation holds heart-help sessions that offer support and advice from guest speakers including health professionals.

The Heart Foundation Tick programme[15] was used to help New Zealanders find healthy food choices.