Stories from the Heart

Why women's heart attack symptoms are still overlooked — and how it nearly cost Fiona her life
Political cartoonist Fiona Katauskas shares the morning she collapsed at home, convinced she was "just imagining it." As she recalls, "I didn't call an ambulance because I thought, oh, I don't want to cause a fuss."
Despite being fit and active, her symptoms didn't match the male‑centric heart attack descriptions she found online. Only after searching "women's heart attack symptoms" did she realise the danger — hours later.
Her story highlights a critical truth: women often experience different heart attack symptoms, yet public information and clinical practice still skew male.
Key Themes
Subtle symptoms: dizziness, sweating, fainting, right‑arm numbness, jaw/neck tightness
Why online symptom lists mislead women
Gender bias in heart research and diagnosis
The cultural pressure on women to "not make a fuss"
Adjusting to life after a heart attack
LINKS
Why women delay calling emergency services
Monash University research on why women hesitate to call 000 during a suspected heart attack: https://www.monash.edu/medicine/news/latest/2025-articles/why-women-wait-to-call-000-when-they-suspect-theyre-having-a-heart-attack
Gender bias in symptom recognition & clinical awareness
Lack of education and awareness around female‑specific symptoms (including among clinicians): https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9399064/
Underrepresentation of women in cardiovascular trials
How clinical trial gaps worsen diagnostic and treatment inequality: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10978176/
Drivers of inequality in diagnosis & treatment
Factors contributing to poorer outcomes for women with CVD: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9399064/
A similar real‑world case
British Heart Foundation story mirroring Fiona's experience, plus insights on AI amplifying gender bias: https://www.bhf.org.uk/informationsupport/heart-matters-magazine/news/heart-attacks-in-women
A Note for Listeners
If you're a woman over 45, or an Indigenous woman over 30, speak with your GP about a Medicare‑funded heart health check. And if something feels wrong — don't ignore it.
Heart health check: https://www.heartfoundation.org.au/your-heart/heart-health-checks
Heart attack symptoms: https://www.heartfoundation.org.au/your-heart/heart-attack

In this episode of Stories from the Heart, we hear from Sadie Goddard-Wrighton — a South Australian wellness coach, breast cancer survivor and founder of the Breast Friend Project, a Heart Foundation walking group supporting people affected by breast cancer.
Sadie shares her story of recovery, the role movement played in her healing, and how connection with others became a vital part of rebuilding her health and wellbeing. The conversation also explores why walking, nature and community can make such a powerful difference.
In this episode, we discuss:
Why movement and time in nature can support healing
How the Breast Friend Project began and grew
The importance of community and social participation for overall health
Resources and links
Heart Foundation Walking
MyHeart MyLife (support)
#StoriesFromTheHeart #PodcastEpisode #HeartHealth #BreastCancerRecovery #HealingJourney #WalkingForWellbeing #Wellness #SupportMatters #CommunityHealing #MovementMatters #heartfoundation #heartfoundationwalking

No Money, No Time?
It doesn't matter – you can still make healthy meals
With food bills creeping ever higher, many people worry about the expense of putting healthy meals on the table. But there are solutions. 
In this episode, we explore how innovative tools and strategic partnerships are empowering Australians to improve their diet within budget and time constraints. This must-listen episode features insights from two of the most insightful nutrition experts in the business: Professor Clare Collins, a renowned University of Newcastle nutrition scientist and podcast host (check out her brilliant work by accessing the link to the 'No Money, No Time' website below), and the Heart Foundation's Manager of Food and Nutrition Claire Gardner, who discuss practical strategies for fostering healthier eating habits that can be sustained long-term.
Key Topics
The origin and impact of the No Money, No Time platform, including its popular healthy eating quiz
How small dietary changes can lead to significant health benefits
The importance of making healthy eating accessible via smartphones
Practical tips for shopping smarter—focusing on vegetables, fruits, and budget-friendly food swaps
Resources available from the Heart Foundation to support heart-healthy, budget-friendly eating
The concept of a flexible, sustainable "heart healthy eating pattern" instead of restrictive diets
Resources & Links
No Money No Time Website
Heart Foundation Recipes and Resources

In this episode of Stories from the Heart, we look at ithe Health Hive, an initiative reshaping of how young people engage with public health research—especially heart health. Host, Matt Dunn speaks with Associate Professor Stephanie Partridge and members of her team about why youth involvement matters, what's holding young people back, and how the Health Hive is breaking down barriers with practical, confidence‑building solutions.
You'll hear personal stories from young researchers who've stepped into the world of public health, discovered their own capabilities, and found their voices in spaces where youth perspectives have traditionally been overlooked. The conversation also explores the growing momentum behind youth‑led insights in health policy and the broader challenges young people face in heart health today.
Whether you're passionate about public health, youth empowerment, or community‑driven change, this episode offers a hopeful look at what happens when young people are invited to the table—and given the tools to thrive.
Want to know more? Go to: https://www.youthhealthhive.com/free-online-course

In this powerful episode of Stories from the Heart, we speak with renowned anti–food waste campaigner and chef Mandy Hall, who shares her deeply personal journey of misdiagnosis to a life‑threatening heart condition.
Despite experiencing persistent and alarming symptoms, the former MasterChef contestant was told her condition was anxiety‑related. It wasn't until much later that she discovered she had an 90% blockage in a major artery — a diagnosis that would ultimately save her life.
Mandy reflects on the challenges women face in having their heart disease symptoms recognised and taken seriously, and the emotional toll of not being believed. She also discusses how her experience has fuelled her passion to raise awareness about women's heart health, encouraging others to listen to their bodies and advocate for themselves.
This episode is a confronting and inspiring reminder that heart disease doesn't always look the way we expect — and that early recognition can make all the difference.
In this episode, we explore:
       Why heart disease symptoms in women are often missed or misdiagnosed
    The dangers of dismissing symptoms as anxiety or stress
    Mandy's journey to diagnosis and recovery
    The importance of self‑advocacy in healthcare
    Raising awareness to help save more women's lives
If this episode resonated with you, share it with someone you love and help spread the message about women's heart health. Learn more about the signs of heart disease in women and how to protect your heart at heartfoundation.org.au, and subscribe to Stories from the Heart so you never miss an episode.
If you'd like to find out more about Mandy Hall, go to: realfoodhall.com.au
*The Heart Foundation relies on peer-reviewed scientific research in the production of this podcast.