Understanding conditions
Understand the signs, symptoms and treatment of heart and respiratory conditions for yourself and your family. From asthma and bronchiectasis to atrial fibrillation and heart failure, explore trusted, evidence-based information to help you navigate diagnosis, treatment and day-to-day management.
Allergic rhinitis (hay fever)
Hay fever and asthma often go hand in hand. Learn how managing both can help reduce symptoms.
Angina
Angina is chest pain or discomfort you feel when your heart is not getting enough oxygen-rich blood.
Aspergillosis
Aspergillosis is a fungal lung infection caused by Aspergillus mould. It can be serious for people with weakened immunity or existing lung disease. Learn about symptoms, treatment and prevention.
Asthma
Asthma is one of New Zealand's most common long-term health conditions. Learn how to recognise symptoms, manage triggers and take control of your asthma.
Atrial fibrillation
Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common type of arrhythmia, which means your heart has an abnormal heartbeat or rhythm.
Bronchiectasis
Understand bronchiectasis, its symptoms and treatment options, and find practical information to help manage the condition and improve quality of life.
Bronchiolitis
Find out about symptoms, care and when to seek help for bronchiolitis, a viral chest infection in infants and young children that causes inflamed small airways and breathing difficulties.
COPD
COPD affects how you breathe and live day to day - here's what it is, how it’s diagnosed, and the treatments and support that can help you manage it.
COVID-19
People with pre-existing heart and lung conditions may be at greater risk from COVID-19. Learn how to stay well and protect yourself from infection.
Croup
Croup is a viral illness in young children that narrows the airway, causing noisy breathing and breathing difficulty, often worse at night. Learn when to seek help and what to watch for.
Cystic fibrosis
Cystic fibrosis is a genetic condition affecting the lungs and digestive system, causing thick mucus, infections and breathing difficulty. Learn about symptoms, diagnosis and treatment.
Familial hypercholesterolemia
Familial hypercholesterolaemia (FH) is an inherited condition that causes very high cholesterol from birth, greatly increasing the risk of early heart disease if left undiagnosed and untreated.
Heart attack
A heart attack happens when there is a sudden loss of blood flow to part of the heart muscle. A heart attack is also called a myocardial infarction.
Heart failure
Heart failure (also called congestive heart failure) is when the heart can't pump blood and oxygen around the body as well as it should.
High blood pressure
Learn about high blood pressure (hypertension) and how to understand your blood pressure numbers.
Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF)
Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) causes progressive scarring of the lungs, making breathing increasingly difficult. Symptoms, diagnosis and treatment are explained here.
Influenza (the flu)
Find trusted information about influenza (flu), symptoms, vaccination and preventing serious illness.
Lung cancer
Lung cancer is New Zealand's deadliest cancer. Learn about the signs and symptoms, risk factors, diagnosis, treatment options and support available.
Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma is a rare cancer linked to asbestos exposure, but symptoms may not appear for 13–70 years. See information on symptoms, diagnosis and treatment.
Obstructive sleep apnoea
Learn about symptoms, diagnosis and treatment of obstructive sleep apnoea, a condition where breathing repeatedly stops during sleep, often causing loud snoring and daytime fatigue.
Pneumonia
Pneumonia is a lung infection that can cause cough, fever, chest pain and breathing difficulties, and can be serious for young children, older adults and people with underlying conditions.
RSV
Trusted information about RSV, including symptoms, treatment and when to seek care for babies and older adults.
Tuberculosis
Tuberculosis (TB) is a bacterial infection that usually affects the lungs and can cause a persistent cough, fever, weight loss and fatigue if left untreated.
Vasomotor rhinitis (VMR)
Unlike allergic rhinitis, vasomotor rhinitis is caused by an oversensitive response to everyday environmental triggers rather than allergens. Learn about symptoms, triggers and treatment.
Whooping cough
Whooping cough (pertussis) is a highly contagious respiratory infection that can be serious, especially for babies. Learn about symptoms, vaccination and protecting those most at risk.