PORT Macquarie's Max Heslehurst considers himself lucky to be alive.
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The 81-year-old, who has had four valve replacements, spoke out about his experience to raise awareness during Heart Week.
Mr Heslehurst was born with one missing lip on his aortic valve but that didn't trouble him during his early life.
In 1998, Mr Heslehurst had what was the first of four valve replacements.
His last valve replacement surgery was in 2014.
"It has been very worrisome at times," Mr Heslehurst said.
"I am lucky to be here."
Mr Heslehurst walks about three kilometres every morning, watches what he eats and lends a supportive ear to hospital cardiac patients through the Heart Support Australia Port Macquarie Hastings Branch's Healthy Heart Support Service.
The Heart Support Australia Port Macquarie Hastings Branch member runs the group's visiting team.
Volunteers visit patients in hospital, drawing on their own experience and listening skills to provide support, encouragement and information.
The Heart Foundation during Heart Week is promoting the benefits of cardiac rehabilitation programs.
Cardiac rehabilitation helps people get back on their feet and return to living an active and satisfying life after their heart event - both physically and emotionally.
Mr Heslehurst echoes the importance of rehabilitation: "Go through rehabilitation and make sure you exercise regularly and look after your diet and your health."
The Heart Support Australia Port Macquarie Hastings Branch president Mike Storrier said Heart Week helps raise awareness about heart problems.
"People think you have a flutter on your heart and they just fix you up, and away you go, but it's not that easy," he said.
Mr Storrier promotes the importance of cardiac rehabilitation.
Less than one in three heart attack survivors attend cardiac rehabilitation programs in Australia.
Studies show that heart attack survivors who have participated in a cardiac rehabilitation program have a greater chance of avoiding a second event.
They are 40 per cent less likely to be readmitted to hospital and 25 per cent less likely to die from another heart attack.
Heart Foundation's chief medical advisor Professor Garry Jennings said national action was needed to fully combat the issue.
"The Heart Foundation is calling for a national, annual audit of cardiac rehabilitation, at an investment of $1 million a year, to be funded by the Australian government to drive to highlight and overcome barriers to life-saving cardiac rehabilitation programs for those who suffer heart attacks," he said.
Meanwhile, Heart Support Australia Port Macquarie Hastings Branch will run a raffle at Port Macquarie Base Hospital until Friday to raise funds to support cardiac patients.
Heart Week ends on Saturday.