Ed Pannowitch was mowing the lawn of his Rowville home when he felt a tightness in his chest. The doctors diagnosed heart trouble. Emerald resident Ed Stelling was on a boat when he had his heart attack.

Both men had surgery, attended rehabilitation sessions together at William Angliss Hospital, and were then advised to join Life Links.

Eastern Health offers Life Links to residents of Knox, Maroondah and Yarra Ranges municipalities who have finished their cardiac rehabilitation but may be at risk of developing difficulties such as depression or anxiety.

Mr Pannowitch, 48, said the program was about understanding the problems that caused heart failure and also called for some light exercise.

What has been invaluable for the two Eds is the friendship they have formed. Mr Pannowitch said the program's buddy system "gave us a goal to work towards together".

Mr Stelling, 62, said the friendship and Life Links had changed his life. ''If it wasn't for Ed or the program, I wouldn't have bothered. I would have just gone back to how my life was before. I'm now far healthier."

The men have seen others struggle to maintain their new lifestyle and strongly encourage participants to help each other.

The Eds have now finished their sessions with Life Links but still catch up to work out together.

"We often head to McDonald's after a session at the gym - but only for a skinny chai latte and slice of raisin toast," Mr Pannowitch said.

A referral to the Life Links program can sought through GPs.