All Australians are being encouraged to pay greater attention to their heart health this Give With Heart Day.

Socceroos legend and Heart Foundation ambassador John Aloisi shared with Ray Hadley his own brush with death.

“I could feel my heart pound sometimes when I was on the couch. Knowing my body quite well, I thought ‘That’s not quite right’.”

After seeing a GP and subsequently a cardiologist, Aloisi was sent for urgent open heart surgery.

“I had a tear in my mitral valve, and I was leaking 50 per cent of my blood.”

His experience, he said, is a reminder that everyone needs to be conscious of their heart health – even the very fit and otherwise healthy.

“That’s the first thing I asked: is it something to do with my lifestyle? Is it hereditary? And they said it’s just a freak accident.

“I’m one of the lucky ones that’s given a second chance at life, and I really want others to make sure if they’re not feeling right to get checked.”

Press PLAY below to hear John Aloisi’s story in full

The Heart Foundation aims to raise $1.5 million in the 24 hours of Give With Heart Day.

To find out more and donate, click HERE.

Image: Heart Foundation