Connected hearts and minds: How mental health, social isolation and loneliness impact CVD

Heart Foundation

Wednesday 16 September 2026, 7 pm AEST

Online via Zoom

The Heart Foundation is hosting a clinical education webinar exploring the relationship between mental health, social isolation, loneliness and cardiovascular disease (CVD).

Join our Chair, Professor Garry Jennings and expert panel featuring international keynote speakers Prof Hector Bueno and Prof Claes Held, alongside Australian experts to be able to:

Describe the relationship between mental health and cardiovascular disease, including how diagnosed conditions such as depression, anxiety, and psychological distress influence cardiovascular risk and outcomes.
Explain the impact of social isolation and loneliness on cardiovascular health, including the behavioural and psychosocial mechanisms that contribute to it.
Apply evidence-based approaches to assessing and managing psychosocial risk factors as part of cardiovascular disease management.
Identify patients at increased risk of cardiovascular disease due to social isolation, or loneliness.
Identify strategies, referral pathways and multidisciplinary interventions that support social connectedness, wellbeing and improved outcomes for patients.

The program features live expert presentations followed by a planned panel discussion and audience Q&A. Tune in for practical, evidence-based guidance to support primary care professionals to recognise and address mental wellbeing, social isolation and loneliness as part of comprehensive patient care.

RACGP activity #1687815