Together, we can prevent, treat and ultimately cure heart diseases.
Thanks to incredible supporters like you, we’ve made significant progress since we were first established in 1967, but our work is far from over.
In 1967, cardiac surgeon Mr. David Watson launched an appeal with the Yorkshire Evening Post to fund research into making heart surgery safer, after losing a young patient. At the time, only one in five children with congenital heart disease survived their first year, and 70% of heart attacks were fatal. His vision led to the creation of the National Heart Research Fund, now Heart Research UK.
In the early 1970s, heart disease caused over half of all UK deaths. The National Heart Research Fund established the UK’s first hospital-based cardiac research unit at Killingbeck Hospital, where Mr. Watson developed the durable tissue valve, used in heart surgery for 30 years. In 1979, the charity also funded six of the first eight successful heart transplants at Papworth Hospital carried out by Sir Terence English.
In the 1980s, heart disease deaths began to decline and marked a turning point. The National Heart Research Fund funded a research lab at Freeman Hospital in Newcastle, where, in 1987, Kaylee Davidson became the youngest heart transplant patient at just five months old. She celebrated the 30th anniversary of her surgery in 2017.
By the 1990s, heart disease deaths were falling, and more people were living with the condition. The National Heart Research Fund began to fund research focusing on adapting adult treatments and techniques for safe use in children.
Our research shifted toward more immediate patient benefits, and in 2000, we funded the world’s first permanent artificial heart implantation. Peter Houghton, the recipient, still holds the Guinness World Record for longest survival with an artificial heart.
In 2001, we launched the Healthy Heart Grant scheme to support community heart health projects to help improve heart health across the nation. Later in 2005, we changed our name and became Heart Research UK.
In the 2010s, we funded Healthy Heart Grants in 12 UK regions annually, helping communities improve heart health.
In 2012, we launched Masterclasses to provide cutting-edge training for clinicians from world-renowned experts to share their skills. We also developed a Primary Schools Programme to teach pupils about the heart using advanced technology.
Later in 2019, we introduced the Heart of Scotland Appeal to fund vital research and support people living with heart diseases in Scotland.
The early 2020s were dominated by the COVID-19 pandemic, our Healthy Heart Grants and health checks were put on hold. Despite this, we awarded grants to explore the effects of COVID on the heart. Since our beginning, we have funded over £30m into vital heart research which could save countless lives. We will continue to fund life-saving research for future generations, and we will not stop until there are no more deaths from heart diseases.
Find out about who we are, how we plan to save thousands of lives from heart diseases, and what you can do to help us.
We fund high-quality research projects and improve communities heart health preventing unnecessary deaths. But we can only do this with you, our incredible supporters.
By getting involved with our campaigns and fundraising activity, you can help save thousands of lives and get hearts healthy.
If you have any questions or queries, please get in touch