HeartCore Group

HeartCore Group Leaders in delivering preventative cardiovascular disease education to workplaces and
community groups. Reducing Heart Disease - One Beat at a Time.

I am passionate about heart health. Having worked in Cardiology, Coronary Care, Cardiothoracic wards as a Registered Nurse and having led a Community Cardiac Rehabilitation team as Clinical Nurse Consultant, I have assessed thousands of people on their heart health. The majority of clients wished they knew how lifestyle and behaviours affected their risk factors to heart disease before they had t

heir cardiac event. My aim is to deliver preventative heart disease education and improve heart health. Let's reduce cardiovascular disease because every beat counts.

I had the privilege to speak at the last week on cardiovascular disease risk and how disproportionately higher at risk...
24/08/2026

I had the privilege to speak at the last week on cardiovascular disease risk and how disproportionately higher at risk mine workers are compared to the National average.

What struck me the most was the underlying theme of all speakers and attendees who continually strive for excellence, to improve safety outcomes, to reduce risk, and their resilience in the face of one of the toughest, hardest working industries in Australia. I met so many lovely people who are so passionate and dedicated to their industry.

I've been to many cardiology conferences but was next level.

A big thank you to all organisers for producing a professional conference full of insight, expertise in and collaboration with such a worthy cause in fundraising for .

I was recently asked why I do what I do, why does it matter to me to educate people on preventative cardiovascular risk ...
14/08/2026

I was recently asked why I do what I do, why does it matter to me to educate people on preventative cardiovascular risk so much?

My proof of resolve came only a few days later in a man asked me why I was presenting to a particular cohort of people because in his eyes they earned so much money, well it was to be expected.

I was flabbergasted he thought that way. I spent the next few minutes explaining what a person earns does not determine their risk of cardiovascular disease.

With the many people I have looked after and assessed, you cannot judge by looking at a person if they are at greater risk than another. I have looked after every cohort of patient - rich, poor, city living, rural living. Every body type from short, tall, athletic, inactive, overweight, underweight. Every dietary habit - vegan, keto, vegetarian, carnivore, pescatarian, you name it, I've given up being surprised at who presents to hospital having a heart attack.

What truly matters to me is the role that preventative education helps teach people they can make a slight positive tweak here and there in their behaviour that will have a great, lasting impact on their future health.

I love what I do, I help people protect the one asset they can't replace - their health.

I'm reflecting this week on a series of posts on what truly matters to me. I've spent years looking after cardiac patien...
12/08/2026

I'm reflecting this week on a series of posts on what truly matters to me. I've spent years looking after cardiac patients and assessing them after their cardiac event.

The majority of clients have been men aged 40-60s. They all had several things in common - they were laden with responsibilities: responsibilities of looking after their businesses, prioritising their employees so they got paid, providing for their families and never prioritised themselves.

They were carrying that chronic stress for decades until the heart forced them to slow down and re-evaluate. Often these stoic men would break down with tears when I asked to be kind to yourself and find some time to prioritise yourself.

And what I mean about prioritising yourself is not in an arrogant or selfish way, but rather giving yourself some self love, and being kinder to yourself.

Once these businessmen gave themselves permission to spend some time for themselves, things began to shift in an emotional, mental and physical way.

For example, some would leave work early one day a week and play golf, or started walking each day during lunch time or after work. Some took up cycling, swimming or taking their wives on a regular date again. It was incredible to see the transformation and the reset these men had.

If your system is looking for a reset, join my 1:1 coaching, by typing ACE in the comments for a free discovery call.

Heart disease kills more Australians than anything else, so why isn't it in our mining safety systems? At I'm presenti...
04/08/2026

Heart disease kills more Australians than anything else, so why isn't it in our mining safety systems? At I'm presenting a practical framework for treating cardiovascular risk like any other critical safety hazard: measurable, manageable, preventable. See you on the Gold Coast, 16–19 August.

FACT: Chronic stress is one of the most underestimated risk factors for cardiovascular disease. When you are under prolo...
15/06/2026

FACT: Chronic stress is one of the most underestimated risk factors for cardiovascular disease.

When you are under prolonged stress, your body releases cortisol and adrenaline continuously. These hormones raise your heart rate and blood pressure, promote inflammation in the arteries, increase blood clotting risk, and contribute to the buildup of arterial plaque over time.

Chronic stress also drives behaviours that compound the risk, including poor sleep, overeating, smoking, and reduced physical activity.

For workers in high-pressure environments like the resources sector, where long rosters, remote locations, and time away from family are the norm, chronic stress is not an occasional visitor. It is a daily reality.

Recognising it as a genuine heart health risk is the first step to managing it.

Health Information Disclaimer: This post provides general health information only and does not constitute medical advice. It should not replace consultation with a qualified healthcare professional regarding individual health concerns.

One week from tonight I will be sleeping outside.On 18 June I am taking part in the Vinnies CEO Sleepout, joining busine...
11/06/2026

One week from tonight I will be sleeping outside.

On 18 June I am taking part in the Vinnies CEO Sleepout, joining business and community leaders across Australia to raise awareness and funds for the 122,000 Australians experiencing homelessness right now.

One night without a bed is something I am choosing to do. For far too many Australians, it is not a choice at all.

If you have been thinking about sponsoring me, now is the time. Every dollar goes directly to Vinnies to fund accommodation, meals, and support services for people who need it most.

Please use this link to donate: https://www.ceosleepout.org.au/fundraisers/alexandrasamuels/gold-coast

One week to go. Let us make it count.

Swing done. Bags packed. You are on the plane home.For most FIFO workers, the end of a swing brings relief. But it also ...
09/06/2026

Swing done. Bags packed. You are on the plane home.

For most FIFO workers, the end of a swing brings relief. But it also brings something that does not always get talked about: the physical and psychological weight of transition.

Swinging out means re-entering family life after weeks away. Workers return home exhausted, carrying the stress of the roster, and immediately step back into the demands of relationships and parenting. There is rarely a genuine decompression period.

Chronic psychological stress, the kind associated with time pressure, relationship strain, and emotional suppression, is a well-documented cardiovascular risk factor.

It drives elevated blood pressure, hormonal dysregulation, poor sleep, and coping behaviours like alcohol, poor diet, and inactivity that compound heart risk further.
The end of swing is also when many workers put health on the back burner. GP visits get postponed. Exercise routines fall away.

If you are FIFO, your days off are not just for rest. They are your best opportunity to actively invest in your health. Book that check. Move your body. Talk to someone if you need to.

Your heart works every single day of your roster. It deserves your attention on your days off too.

Health Information Disclaimer: This post provides general health information only and does not constitute medical advice. It should not replace consultation with a qualified healthcare professional regarding individual health concerns.

FACT: Family history is a risk factor, not a life sentence. While genetics can increase your predisposition to cardiovas...
07/06/2026

FACT: Family history is a risk factor, not a life sentence.

While genetics can increase your predisposition to cardiovascular disease, research consistently shows that lifestyle factors play a significant role in whether that predisposition becomes a diagnosis.

Not smoking, eating well, staying active, managing blood pressure and cholesterol, limiting alcohol, and managing stress can all substantially reduce your risk even when heart disease runs in the family.

Knowing your family history is powerful information. It means you can act earlier, monitor more closely, and make changes that genuinely matter. A family history of heart disease is one of the best reasons to take prevention seriously, not a reason to give up on it.

Health Information Disclaimer: This post provides general health information only and does not constitute medical advice. It should not replace consultation with a qualified healthcare professional regarding individual health concerns.

On 18 June I will be sleeping outside for the night as part of the Vinnies CEO Sleepout, joining business and community ...
04/06/2026

On 18 June I will be sleeping outside for the night as part of the Vinnies CEO Sleepout, joining business and community leaders across Australia to raise awareness and funds for the 122,000 Australians experiencing homelessness right now.

That includes families impacted by the cost of living crisis, children, and a growing number of older women. Most never imagined they would end up without a safe place to call home.

One night outdoors is a small thing. For the people Vinnies supports, it is a daily reality.

If you can spare a few dollars to sponsor my sleepout, every contribution makes a direct difference. The link to donate please use this link. https://www.ceosleepout.org.au/fundraisers/alexandrasamuels/gold-coast

It is midday on site. You are in the crib room. What is on the table in front of you matters more than most people think...
02/06/2026

It is midday on site. You are in the crib room. What is on the table in front of you matters more than most people think.

Food choices in remote and operational work environments are not always ideal. Limited options, high-calorie convenience foods, irregular meal timing, and eating quickly under time pressure are the norm for many workers.

Over time, these patterns have a direct and measurable impact on cardiovascular health.

A diet high in saturated fat, sodium, and processed foods raises LDL cholesterol, the type that contributes to arterial plaque buildup. High sodium intake drives up blood pressure. Irregular meal timing disrupts blood sugar regulation and contributes to insulin resistance, a significant risk factor for heart disease.

The challenge for site workers is real. You cannot always control what is on the menu. But there are things you can control.

- Choosing water over sugary drinks.
- Opting for protein and vegetables when they are available.
- Avoiding the habit of skipping meals and then overeating later.
- Being mindful of portion sizes.

These are small decisions that compound over a career.

Employers also have a role to play here. The food provided on site is a health and safety issue, not just a catering one. Nutritious, accessible food options are one of the most direct ways a company can support the cardiovascular health of its workforce.

What you eat on site is not just about energy for the shift. It is about what your heart is dealing with, day after day, year after year.

Health Information Disclaimer: This post provides general health information only and does not constitute medical advice. It should not replace consultation with a qualified healthcare professional regarding individual health concerns.

Address

Varsity Lakes, QLD
4227

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

+61410481622

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