Ben Fordham has confronted the Heart Foundation over “disgraceful” advertisements that tell kids their parents didn’t love them if they died from heart disease.

The ads, which have been playing over TV and radio networks, feature people claiming their family members didn’t love them because they didn’t take care of their heart.

“It’s all about making people with heart disease feel guilty about their condition as if it’s all their fault,” says Ben Fordham.

“But they also send a message to kids that if mum or dad died because of a heart disease or heart condition then mum and dad didn’t really love you enough to do something about it.”

Listeners have been calling in all afternoon with their own stories, with many wondering how they will explain the ads to their children.

Director of Prevention at the Heart Foundation Julianne Mitchell insists they’re trying to start an important conversation, but Ben Fordham wasn’t buying it.

Ben: “No, hang on a moment. When you say what we’re trying to do, you’re trying and you’re failing to do what you say you’re trying to do. The ad says that if a mum or a dad dies they didn’t really love their child.”

Julianne: “No, the ad is really saying the consequences of neglecting your heart health are important not only for yourself but for your family.”

Ben: “Hang on a moment, because you’ve got an advertising challenge in front of you, it’s okay to tell kids who’ve had a mum or dad die, your mum or dad didn’t love you?”

Julianne: “Our aim is to start a conversation. Too few people are talking about heart disease.”

Click PLAY below to hear the full interview