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Heart Foundation and TAL join forces to bust common heart health myths affecting younger people

Heart Foundation & TAL

The initiative aims to help young people understand that protecting their heart health starts now, not later in life

The Heart Foundation and TAL have joined forces to help younger people understand the importance of preventing heart disease now to avoid a heart attack or stroke later in life.

Heart Foundation data shows that many younger Australians aged 18 to 34 believe heart disease is not something they need to worry about at their age.

This is despite evidence that heart disease which presents later in life often begins developing as early as teenage years, through lifestyle choices such as what you eat, how you exercise, and whether you smoke or vape.

The evidence has prompted the Heart Foundation and TAL – now in the second year of their partnership – to focus on addressing common myths and misconceptions younger people hold about heart health.

Common myths held by younger Australians, according to the Heart Foundation’s 2025 State of the Heart survey:

• More than one in three (37%) people aged 18 to 34 believe they would feel warning signs if they had high blood pressure, despite it often having no symptoms.
• More than one in five (22%) younger adults believe they are too young to worry about heart disease, even though it can begin developing early in life.
• Around one quarter (25%) of younger Australians believe heart disease mostly affects men, despite women accounting for almost half of cardiovascular deaths.
• About one in ten (11%) younger adults believe family history means they cannot reduce their risk of heart disease.

Heart Foundation Head of Clinical Evidence, Dr Dannii Dougherty, said finding the right information could be challenging for young people.

“We live in an age where we are constantly consuming information and it’s becoming harder for young people to distinguish between what is real or fake and what they should and shouldn’t focus on for their health,” Dr Dougherty said.

“Through this partnership with TAL we are helping younger people understand the evidence and the science behind achieving good health, and how the choices they make now can affect them later in life.”

TAL General Manager Health Services, Dr Priya Chagan, said young people in Australia were in a powerful position to protect their heart health, and that the expertise and quality, researched-backed information provided by the Heart Foundation was key.

"Heart disease continues to be one of the leading causes of life insurance claims at TAL, even among younger customers – which is why this initiative matters so much. The evidence is clear that what you do in your 20s and 30s has a real impact on your long-term health. The good news is that small, consistent lifestyle choices can make a significant difference over time.”

"We're proud to work alongside the Heart Foundation to give young Australians the practical, evidence-backed knowledge they need to take control of their heart health now – because it's more accessible and achievable than most people think."

Some fixed risk factors for heart disease include age, sex, ethnicity, and family history. However, people can reduce their risk by being active, not smoking or vaping, and managing stress, high blood pressure and cholesterol.

TAL’s 3-year strategic partnership with the Heart Foundation is part of the life insurer’s Health for Life program which empowers people living in Australia to take charge of their health by staying informed, checking in and taking early action to detect and prevent potential health conditions.

The partnership helps the Heart Foundation fund preventative programs, medical research and support for people living with heart disease.

This year, the partners’ increased focus on reaching and engaging younger audiences includes collaborating with the Heart Foundation’s experts to bust common heart health myths. Watch Heart Foundation, General Manager – NSW, Simon Cowie, here.

About us:

About TAL
TAL is one of Australia's leading life insurance specialists. For over 150 years, TAL has been protecting people, not things. Together with its partners, TAL insures more than 5 million customers and offers life insurance through the following channels: direct to consumer; through a financial adviser; and via group and workplace superannuation schemes. TAL is part of the Dai-ichi Life Group, one of the world’s largest insurance groups.

About the Heart Foundation
The Heart Foundation is a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to fighting the single biggest killer of people in Australia – heart disease. For more than 60 years, it has led the battle to save lives and improve the heart health of all people in Australia. Its sights are set on a world where people don’t suffer or die prematurely because of heart disease.

Find out your risk of heart attack or stroke by using our Heart Age Calculator. To find out about the Heart Foundation’s research program or to make a donation, visit www.heartfoundation.org.au.

Contact details:

Media Manager - TAL
T: 0459 933 569
E: [email protected]

Manager, Media and Communications – Heart Foundation
T: 0404 769 054
E: [email protected]