THINK AORTA campaign update Posted on May 1, 2025May 30, 2025 by laure@heartresearch.org.uk Heart Research UK is funding the ‘THINK AORTA’ campaign, which aims to highlight early diagnosis of aortic dissection.Aortic dissection is a rare but life-threatening condition where there is a tear in the inner wall of the aorta, the main artery in the body and carries blood from the heart to all organs.The campaign was devised by Aortic Dissection Awareness UK, in collaboration with the Society for Cardiothoracic Surgery (SCTS) and the Royal College of Emergency Medicine (RCEM).THINK AORTA PosterThe campaign includes the design, printing and distribution of a ‘THINK AORTA’ poster to all 229 emergency departments in the UK and Ireland to help educate patients and medical professionals.THINK AORTA podcast and filmAlso, a podcast and educational film has been produced for the RCEM online learning. In the podcast, patients and health professionals share their experiences of aortic dissection.The educational film follows the golden patient pathway of a patient suffering from an acute aortic dissection – from the 999 call, to paramedics, to emergency department triage, to differential diagnosis, to radiology CT scanning, to confirmed diagnosis, to transfer for surgery.Further information You can read more about the THINK AORTA campaign, listen to the podcast, watch the film and download the poster from www.thinkaorta.net/Update on the campaignOur ‘THINK AORTA’ poster has already been sent to emergency departments in the UK and Ireland, and the THINK AORTA US team has now distributed posters to all 6,300 emergency departments in the USA.The Healthcare Safety Investigation Branch has published their investigation report into delayed recognition of aortic dissection. You can read more at https://www.hsib.org.uk/news/earlier-recognition-aortic-dissection-needed-prevent-deaths/
In conversation with British orienteers: Navigating fitness and heart health Posted on July 4, 2024May 28, 2025 by Sarah Gill Heart Research UK’s Heart of Scotland Appeal is proud to be the Official Charity Partner of the World Orienteering Championships (WOC 2024) in Edinburgh this July. This partnership combines the excitement of orienteering with the vital mission of promoting heart health. In this Q&A, we speak with British orienteers Kirstin Maxwell and Mairi Eades, who will compete in the elite races at the Sprint WOC 2024. Read on as Mairi and Kirstin share their passion for orienteering, the health benefits of the sport and practical tips for keeping your heart in top shape. Q.1: How did you first get into orienteering? Mairi: “I’ve been orienteering my whole life. My parents, who both started at a young age, met through the sport at university and brought me up orienteering. It’s a fun family affair.” Kirstin: “I’ve been orienteering since I was 10 years old. My dad, always a runner and involved in motorsport, found orienteering to be more family-friendly than car racing. As I participated in more orienteering events, I was invited to a development day for the Scottish team. I met many people and realised how great this outdoor sport is. I began to really enjoy orienteering because of the opportunities it provided. As my passion grew, it became a huge part of my life, and I’ve never looked back.” Q.2: How has orienteering influenced your overall health and fitness, particularly heart health? Mairi: “Orienteering provides me with continuous goals to work towards. It motivates me to train and stay healthy, so I can perform my best at competitions and maintain a happy and healthy lifestyle. It also encourages me to ensure I have a balanced diet to fuel my performance.” Kirstin: “Orienteering keeps you active and it’s said that one of the best ways to keep your heart healthy is to exercise. It’s a sport where you can either walk or run, and if you do run, you can go at your own pace. Orienteering is a great way to exercise and boost your health; it takes your mind off the exertion and into a beautiful place.” Q.3: In what ways do you maintain your heart health through your training and lifestyle choices? Mairi: “I like to keep active outside by walking, jogging, running, and cycling. This can be for commuting to work or recreation. Listening to the body is key and hence sleep is always a priority for me. No matter how healthy you’re eating or how much you’re training, you always need to rest and recover.” Kirstin: “I take care of myself because I want to be the best I can be, which has a knock-on effect on my overall health. Through my training, I’ve learned to pay close attention to things like my heart rate. If it’s elevated, it might indicate that something’s off, prompting me to adjust my activities accordingly. Being an athlete means being quite in touch with your body.” Q.4: Can you share any personal experiences or stories about heart health that have impacted you? Mairi: “My mum had a heart attack recently which shows that heart diseases can occur unexpectedly to anyone, even if you’ve lived a healthy lifestyle your whole life. So, do your best to prevent any health issues and maintain a good lifestyle, but don’t be discouraged if something happens. Unfortunately, even with a lifetime of healthy habits, things can still go wrong.” Q.5: This year, the World Orienteering Championships have partnered with Heart Research UK. How do you feel this partnership can generate awareness and promote heart health within the orienteering community? Mairi: “Exercise is essential for a healthy heart, and orienteering exercises both body and mind simultaneously. It offers a fun challenge and adventure. This partnership is a fantastic reminder for everyone, including elite athletes, about the importance of heart health.” Kirstin: “It’s great to be working with the charity. Orienteers may become more conscious about heart health, and charity supporters might see orienteering as a way to stay active. This partnership can encourage people to maintain their fitness and view orienteering as a viable exercise option.” Q.6: How do you balance the competitive nature of the sport with the enjoyment and adventure of orienteering? Mairi: “It can be difficult to balance these, especially during big races, but at the end of the day, I always come back to the realisation that this sport is so fun and unique. The sport allows us to travel to amazing places around the world, meeting new people and making friends across the world. I am always grateful to be a part of it and all the benefits that come with it.” Kirstin: “As I’ve matured, I’ve realised that when you’re young, a bad race can feel like the end of the world. I’ve spent a lot of time feeling upset, but experience has taught me that hard work is what truly matters. Reminding yourself of the good times, like getting selected or having an amazing run, helps on tough days. When you truly enjoy something and work hard, the buzz you get makes it all worth it. If you’re not enjoying your training every day, it’s time to change something about it.” Q.7: What advice would you give to someone who is interested in taking up orienteering? Mairi: “People are often nervous about trying orienteering, but I believe you just have to give it a go. If you find it difficult, don’t hesitate to ask as many questions as you need. Dive in and don’t fear getting lost. Even elite athletes still get lost, so it’s not a problem.” Kirstin: “There are local clubs all over the UK and you can find events on the British Orienteering website. If you’re near Edinburgh, come watch us at the World Championship races to see elite orienteers, many of whom represent their countries in athletics. Just get out there and try it, don’t worry if you don’t succeed right away. The important thing is to enjoy the fresh air and keep trying until it clicks.” Q.8: What message would you like to share about the importance of heart health? Mairi: “Remember that your heart is very important, so take the time to look after it. A few simple things, like getting outside, staying active and resting when you need to, can make a big difference. Listen to your body and keep it healthy.” Kirstin: “It’s important to take care of ourselves, especially our hearts, and enjoy life since we’re only here once. This means finding what works for you, especially with exercise. While exercise is beneficial, it doesn’t have to be intense. Enjoying activities with friends or family, like orienteering, can make a big difference. The key is to find what works for you and enhances your life.” Taking place from 12th to 16th July 2024, Edinburgh will host the Sprint World Orienteering Championships. Whether you’re an experienced athlete or new to the sport, join us for the WOC Tour, featuring six exciting races for all ages and skill levels. Explore the best of urban orienteering and be part of this incredible event in support of the Heart of Scotland Appeal.
Heart Research UK at The Workplace Event Posted on April 26, 2024May 29, 2025 by Sarah Gill Heart Research UK will be attending The Workplace Event taking place from 30th April to 2nd May 2024. The Workplace Event is the home for workplace and facilities innovation. It brings together workplace professionals and practitioners from facilities, HR, technology, real estate, design, architecture, consultants, and advisors to share best practices, expertise and ideas to create effective working environments, employee experience and drive optimum organisational performance. Having a healthy workforce is essential to the success of any organisation and Heart Research UK will be speaking about our Healthy Hearts at Work programme, which encourages employers to identify and address key health and wellbeing needs of staff. It is hoped that through the programme employers will be able to support their employees and recognise each organisation’s commitment to improving the heart health of their workforce. At the event delegates attending will have the opportunity to have free blood pressure checks carried out by the Heart Research UK team, which will highlight the importance of blood pressure checks and can save lives. Of the health checks Heart Research UK conducted in 2023, 33% of people were found to have high blood pressure and advised to visit their GP. Furthermore, 66% of those tested had blood pressure readings outside of the healthy range. The three-day event at the NEC Birmingham comprises a Workplace Leaders’ Summit, Workplace Leaders Top 50, Knowledge Hub seminar programmes, exhibition, and new for 2024 – The Emerging Leaders Campus and The Future Workplace sponsored by Vanti. Amie Leckie, Workplace Health and Wellbeing Specialist will be attending the event and is looking forward to raising awareness of health and wellbeing to foster a healthy workplace. Amie Leckie, Workplace Health and Wellbeing Specialist, says: “We must continue to acknowledge the importance of employee wellbeing. Our Healthy Hearts at Work Programme aims to support organisations to create a healthy workplace for their employees. We are excited to be attending the Workplace Event to speak about employee wellbeing and heart health.”
Heart Research UK supports NHS blood pressure campaign Posted on March 22, 2024May 28, 2025 by Sarah Gill By Olivia Schofield Heart Research UK backs new NHS campaign encouraging more people to have their blood pressure checked. The campaign is set to raise awareness of high blood pressure (also known as hypertension), which is one of the largest known risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD) and is considered a ‘silent killer’. There are often no symptoms but if left untreated, it can lead to fatal heart attacks, strokes, kidney disease and vascular dementia. Cardiovascular disease is a general term for conditions affecting the heart or blood vessels and causes one in four deaths in England. There are often ‘no clues’ about who might have high blood pressure, the only way to know is by a simple blood pressure test. It is hoped the campaign will find the ‘missing millions’ of people who have undiagnosed high blood pressure. High blood pressure is estimated to affect 32% of adults across England. In a new survey, worrying numbers show people don’t know the potentially fatal effects of high blood pressure, with 41% unaware, if left untreated, high blood pressure can lead to heart disease, and over a fifth being unaware that it can cause strokes and heart attacks. High blood pressure can be easily reversed, either with medication and/or lifestyle changes. Kate Bratt-Farrar, Chief Executive at Heart Research UK, said: “Prevention is vital in helping to reduce the nation’s risk of developing high blood pressure. Eating a balanced, healthy diet, getting plenty of physical activity, as well as avoiding smoking and excessive alcohol consumption, can reduce your risk of coronary heart disease or a heart attack. Knowing your blood pressure level is so important for understanding your risk of cardiovascular disease, and as there are often no symptoms, the only way to know is by getting it checked, which is quick, simple and can be lifesaving.” The NHS will be contributing an additional 2.5 million blood pressure checks in community pharmacies over the next two years. Those aged 40 and over will be urged to get a free blood pressure test at participating pharmacies, which could potentially be lifesaving. The campaign is being backed by Graeme Souness, TV pundit and former footballer, who is affected by high blood pressure and had a heart attack, and Gloria Hunniford, TV presenter and broadcaster, whose dad and husband have suffered strokes. The ‘Get Your Blood Pressure Checked’ drive supports the ambitions of the NHS Long Term Plan, which focuses on tackling health inequalities and the prevention of ill health. It aims to prevent 150,000 strokes, heart attacks and dementia over 10 years by raising awareness and diagnosis of high blood pressure. If you’re aged 40 and over, you can get a free blood pressure check at your local participating pharmacy, without needing to book in advance.
An outdoor gym for the female heart Posted on March 4, 2024May 28, 2025 by Sarah Gill Heart Research UK and The Great Outdoor Gym Company (TGOGC) have joined forces to create the ultimate outdoor fitness space that is more female-friendly. Studies show that up to 40% of women are not meeting the recommended weekly exercise target of 150 minutes, leading to the alarming increase in heart disease among women. To address this issue, we are inviting women and girls to co-create our upcoming outdoor gym designs so that they can be tailored to better meet their needs. Your participation in our survey will provide valuable insights into what you consider essential in an outdoor fitness environment. Your input will help shape the future of fitness spaces and empower women to prioritise their cardiovascular health. About The Great Outdoor Gym Company Co-founded by female designer, Georgie Delaney MBE, The Great Outdoor Gym Company has pioneered outdoor gyms in the UK and has installed over 2500 worldwide. Their vision is help create healthier people and a healthier planet. Georgie wants to break TGO’s own mould and develop new inspiring designs that women feel excited to belong to. Georgie Delaney MBE at the Great Outdoor Gym Company: “Co-creation is a key part of our design process. We also value inclusivity, sustainability, diversity, safety and quality.” Helen Flaherty at Heart Research UK: “We are absolutely thrilled to be partnering with the Great Outdoor Gym Company, which aligns perfectly with our goal to get people more active. We want to see physical activity become a fundamental part of life for all women and girls. Increasing physical activity is crucial for reducing the risk of coronary heart disease because it helps with maintaining a healthy weight, managing cholesterol levels and reducing high blood pressure.”
Celebrating 45 years of successful heart transplant surgery this Heart Month Posted on January 31, 2024May 28, 2025 by Sarah Gill By Olivia Schofield 1979 marked a year of significant change for heart transplant surgery in the UK nearly 45 years ago. One which revolutionised heart transplant surgery to become what we know today. The beginning of heart transplant surgery. South Africa had the first successful attempt of heart transplant surgery globally, and it was South African surgeon, Christiaan Barnard’s first successful heart transplant in 1967 which acted as a catalyst for more attempts at heart transplant surgery across the world. The first attempts at heart transplantation in the UK were performed by the surgeon, Mr Donald Ross in 1968. Sadly, whilst the transplants themselves were completed; the first three patients died within weeks due to major issues of organ rejection. Despite a moratorium in 1973 which had acted as an effective ban on these surgeries in the UK. It was accomplished cardiac surgeon, Sir Terence English, who could not be dissuaded in his pursuit to continue heart transplant surgery in the UK. Facing challenges Even though there were advances around heart transplant surgery, there was subsequent media and political negativity. Sir Terence English, the pioneering surgeon at Royal Papworth Hospital, approached the local Cambridge Authority, which provided funding for heart transplantation to occur within Royal Papworth Hospital’s facilities. Unfortunately, Sir Terence’s first attempt at heart transplant surgery in January 1979 was unsuccessful as the patient had only survived a few weeks after the heart transplant. Sir Terence carried out his second surgery in August 1979 at Royal Papworth Hospital on Keith Castle, a 52-year-old who went on to survive over five years post-transplant. This went on to become the first successful heart transplant in UK history. The successful heart transplant on Keith Castle proved to be a significant breakthrough that Sir Terence and the UK needed. As Sir Terence had funding for only two attempts, this was his last chance. If the transplant had failed, it would have been unlikely that he would have received further funding. However, the success of the second attempt enabled Sir Terence to secure funding from Heart Research UK. Formerly known as the National Heart Research Fund, Heart Research UK funded the following six heart transplant surgeries in the UK, at what was then called Papworth Hospital. After Sir Terence had performed two consecutive successful transplants, it provided sufficient evidence to the central regulatory and funding bodies to allow a full-scale transplant programme at Royal Papworth Hospital in Cambridge. This in turn led to the inclusion of heart transplantation within the NHS.Heart transplant surgery today. Since the first UK heart transplant in 1968, there have been approximately 9,000 heart transplants in the UK. Heart Research UK has also funded a Translational Research Project (TRP) Grant towards research at Royal Papworth Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, exploring the effectiveness of fluids for the preservation of donor hearts. This will continue to support the development of pioneering heart transplant surgery. Heart Research UK and Royal Papworth Hospital also hosts an annual surgical masterclass on heart and lung transplantation led by Marius Berman, Cardiothoracic and Transplant Surgeon at Royal Papworth Hospital. 45 years is a significant milestone and it’s because of you that we can continue to fund lifesaving research into heart transplant surgery. The next 45 years of heart transplant surgery are decided by people like you.
Heart Research UK joins UK research sector to support first-of-its kind sex and gender policy in major sector turning point Posted on December 11, 2023May 29, 2025 by Sarah Gill By Malavika Pillai Date published: 11/12/2023 Heart Research UK is today publishing a statement of intent signalling our support for the introduction of dedicated sex and gender policies for biomedical, health and care research in the UK. We join with organisations across the UK medical research sector to publish this statement, which was produced in collaboration with The George Institute for Global Health’s Medical Science Sex and Gender Equity (MESSAGE) project. High-quality, reproducible, and inclusive medical research requires consideration of sex and gender at every stage, from study design and participant recruitment to data analysis and transparent reporting of results. Sex and gender influence the conditions people develop, the symptoms they experience, the treatment they receive, and their overall outcomes. In the instance of cardiovascular research, it has been highlighted that women have a 50% higher chance of receiving the wrong initial diagnosis after a heart attack. This means they are less likely than men to promptly receive the life-saving treatments they need and are about half as likely as men to receive recommended heart attack treatments. This means that women with heart disease are dying unnecessarily from heart attacks and have worse outcomes than men because they are less likely to receive the care and treatment they need. The current evidence base has relied on studies conducted primarily on male cells, animals and people, contributing to persisting standards of worse care and worse outcomes for cis women and sex- and gender-diverse people. Understanding sex and gender differences, as well as where similarities exist, is therefore essential to ensure that treatment and care is safe and effective for all people. In contrast to other high-income countries – notably Canada, the United States and European nations under Horizon Europe – the UK has no standard, unified guidance for researchers about how to consider sex dimensions in cell and animal studies, and sex and gender dimensions in human studies. To address this need, Heart Research UK has collaborated with the project to co-design a sex and gender policy framework for UK research funders. We are working alongside the wider sector – including research funders, regulators, researchers, patient and public groups, academic publishers, and the Department of Health and Social Care – to develop priorities for change in this space and discuss how sex and gender policies should be best implemented. We welcome the launch of this framework in 2024, which sets a new gold standard for research in the UK and will ensure cohesion in requirements made of researchers going forwards. Kate Bratt-Farrar, Chief Executive at Heart Research UK, said: “The introduction of dedicated sex and gender policies for biomedical, health and care research in the UK is important to ensure that sex and gender are considered in every stage across research and health projects and represents a significant opportunity to improve research practices going forward. We are proud to be involved in this work and pleased so many organisations are offering their support.” Robyn Norton, Founding Director of The George Institute, Professor of Global Health at Imperial College London and co-principal investigator on the MESSAGE project, said: “We are delighted to see so many members of the UK research sector express their commitment to improving scientific rigour and equity in biomedical, health and care research. Today marks a huge advance for the UK research community, which will help provide the most effective evidence to improve outcomes for all patients.” Heart Research UK has so far committed to delivering a national awareness campaign; HER Disease, encouraging women to recognise the signs and symptoms of a heart attack. Going forwards, Heart Research UK plans to focus its attentions on delivering a follow up campaign that will aim to promote women’s participation in clinical trials and expel the myths that currently surround them. You can find out more about the MESSAGE project at www.messageproject.co.uk or on X at @MESSAGE_TGI
Heart Research UK and Indian Block Print Co. Partnership: Maggie’s Story Posted on November 14, 2023May 28, 2025 by Sarah Gill By Olivia Schofield “My heart attack came out of nowhere with no warning. ”Maggie Sheehan, Founder of the Indian Block Print Co., and her daughter Tess Hucker are sharing their experience after Maggie’s heart attack, as part of a new partnership between Heart Research UK and The Indian Block Print Co., which has created a limited-edition heart tea towel block print kits. In 2014, Maggie Sheehan was travelling to Heathrow Airport on the M25 when she began to feel unwell. Then, the 58-year-old was overcome with a tight feeling in her chest and suddenly passed out. Her daughter, Tess Hucker who runs the company with her, was driving at the time and had to pull onto the hard shoulder and call 999. Shortly after Tess made the emergency call, Maggie regained consciousness. Maggie, 67, said: “I couldn’t move my upper arms and the pain was so bad, it went all across my chest. I came to the frightening realisation that I am either having a heart attack or a stroke.” At that moment, 20-year-old Tess was unsure what to do to help her mum and felt completely helpless. Tess, now 29, said: “My mum was so frightened. She was in a lot of pain. It makes me emotional to relive it because Mum started saying goodbye to me. It was horrible.” “I was one of the lucky ones, I’m here to tell my story, but sadly there are so many people who aren’t as lucky and a simple heart health check with your GP could be lifesaving.” When the ambulance arrived, they quickly identified that Maggie was having a heart attack, and she was taken to Harefield Hospital. Maggie explained: “I remember being in a lot of pain, but it happened so quickly. When we got to the hospital, they quickly identified that I had a blockage in my heart, and they were going to put a stent in.” After the surgery, Maggie went to rehabilitation at her local hospital, where she made a full recovery and was given advice on how to improve her lifestyle. Both Maggie and Tess decided to get matching heart tattoos on their wrists after their experience to mark the spot where Maggie’s lifesaving stent was inserted. Maggie continued: “My heart attack came out of nowhere with no warning, so it would have been a silent killer for me. I’ve always thought if I’d been on my own that day, that would have been the end of it.” Inspired by Maggie’s and Tess’s experience, the Indian Block Print Co. has partnered with national heart charity, Heart Research UK, to raise money and awareness of heart diseases in women by creating a limited-edition heart tea towel block printing craft kit. Maggie explained: “I was told my blood pressure, and my cholesterol were very high. I hadn’t prioritised my health before I had the heart attack. There was nothing wrong with my health. I felt I was healthy and normal. “My message to all women is to go get your blood pressure and cholesterol checked as soon as possible. It came out of nowhere, so please don’t let denial get in the way of your health. I was one of the lucky ones, I’m here to tell my story, but sadly there are so many people who aren’t as lucky and a simple heart health check with your GP could be lifesaving.”£10 from every sale of the heart tea towel block print craft kits will be donated to Heart Research UK, supporting their lifesaving research into the prevention, treatment and cure of heart diseases. The Indian Block Print Co. and Heart Research UK: limited edition heart tea towel block print kit is available to buy now from: www.theindianblockprintco.com
Heart Research UK is delighted to present at the Cardiovascular Professional Care Conference 2023 Posted on October 5, 2023May 28, 2025 by Sarah Gill By Olivia Schofield Following the success of Heart Research UK’s award-winning HER disease campaign, Director of Health Promotion and Education, Dr Helen Flaherty and Cardiology Registrar at St Thomas’ Hospital, Dr Holly Morgan will be presenting to an esteemed group of cardiovascular and clinical professionals at ExCel London. HER disease was launched in September 2022 to raise awareness of how women are being affected by coronary heart disease, one of the single biggest killers of women in the UK. Coronary heart disease kills more than 23,000 women every year in the UK Coronary heart disease kills twice as many women as breast cancer in the UK Around 830,000 women are living with coronary heart disease The Cardiovascular Professional Care Conference is a two-day event delivering outstanding clinical content and critical updates for the whole sector. After establishing itself as the new home for the UK cardiology community, the highly anticipated 2023 edition will offer a unique platform for knowledge exchange, networking and the exploration of ground-breaking advancements in cardiovascular care. Registration is now open for Cardiovascular Professional Care, taking place on 14th and 15th November 2023 at ExCeL London. Created specifically for all healthcare professionals involved in the treatment, management and delivery of cardiovascular care, the event will also bring together exhibitors in a dynamic environment to showcase the latest products and innovations aimed at improving patient care and outcomes in cardiovascular care. This year’s conference is shaping up to be one of the most exciting yet, with a diverse array of sessions, workshops and panel discussions that delve into the latest developments in cardiovascular care. Among the highlights is a dynamic session led by Heart Research UK, focusing on the critical issue of HER disease and the loss of women’s lives to heart disease. Plenty of other sessions will take place with topics including clinical trials and emerging trends.
Leave a lasting legacy Posted on October 2, 2023May 28, 2025 by Sarah Gill October is Make a Will month, and you can claim yours for free from Heart Research UK. Writing a Will is something many people put off, but it’s important to have one in place to ensure that your loved ones are taken care of when you’re no longer here. It can also be a way of leaving a lasting legacy, by leaving a gift to Heart Research UK. Too many of us have been affected by heart diseases. There are over seven million people living with cardiovascular disease in the UK, killing one in four people. Gifts in Wills have the power to change the future and stop heart diseases claiming so many lives. Heart Research UK is working hard to fund lifesaving medical research to find new treatments and cures, deliver ground-breaking training and education, and to help communities to improve their heart health.86% of our work is funded through gifts in Wills, from people like Steve. Steve remembers the day he lost his beloved partner Jackie. It felt like a normal evening. Steve had been out with Jackie when she started feeling unwell. She went home, and Steve told her to ring him in the morning to make sure she was okay. But she never called. “My soulmate had suddenly died from a heart attack,” Steve says .Jackie was only 59 when she died and is among approximately 23,000 women who die from coronary heart disease every year in the UK. Steve wanted to do something to remember Jackie by. “It seemed quite natural to create a legacy in favour of Heart Research UK in my Will,” he says. If you, like us, want a future free from heart diseases, leave us a gift in your Will.
Thirteen-year partnership between Heart Research UK and Subway® is coming to an end Posted on April 17, 2023May 28, 2025 by Sarah Gill Launching in 2009, Heart Research UK and Subway® have been in partnership for 13 years and have raised over £1 million for local communities across the UK. The purpose of the partnership was based on the mutual commitment of both organisations to support local communities who needed more heart health intervention. The money raised throughout the partnership was spent on Healthy Heart Grants throughout the UK. These grants enabled grass root organisations to access the funding needed for new, original and innovative projects that actively promoted a healthy heart and helped prevent, or reduce, the risk of heart disease in areas where the provision for such learning, understanding and application wasn’t available. In many areas of social deprivation there are little or no resources for teaching people about their heart and the importance of living a healthy life. In these communities, obesity is more prevalent. The partnership between Subway® and Heart Research UK aimed to change this. The Healthy Heart Grants were given where they were needed most, to local groups with in-depth knowledge of the needs of their area, benefitting the people most at risk of heart disease. The people who benefit from these grants have often not had the opportunity to learn about their heart or how to reduce their risk of heart disease. The learnings have been invaluable to them and also their family and friends who have learned from them. Simple provisions such as cooking classes for adults with learning difficulties or walking and exercise groups for the blind have significantly improved the quality of life for participants. Subway® franchisees got heavily involved with the partnership and their enthusiasm towards the work they were funding was fantastic and really inspiring. Each store had a collection box and many engaged with the Healthy Heart Grants which ran in their local communities. Some staff even got involved in the grants process and sat on the panel to help shortlist the applications and assist with making the final decisions. They gave an external perspective on the projects and a different point of view to the Heart Research UK team. The biggest Subway® fundraiser throughout the 13 years of the partnership was the Subway Helping Hearts Family 5Ks, which were launched in 2011. The series of 5K runs gave local families in each of the Subway® regions the chance to enter a race where everyone could take part and enjoy. Buggies, dogs and even wheelchairs made their way around the course before participants enjoyed entertainment and a healthy Subway lunch at the end. They were incredibly popular with the highest turnout being 2,500 runners at one of the Belfast events!After 13 fantastic years, the partnership has now come to an end and Heart Research UK would like to offer their huge thanks and sincere gratitude to all the team at Subway for everything they have helped the charity achieve. Kate Bratt-Farrar, Chief Executive at Heart Research UK, said: “Being partnered with a huge global brand like Subway® for such a long period has been an absolute pleasure. They raised over £1million throughout the partnership and thanks to them we’ve been able to support thousands of people across the country, helping them live healthier, happier and longer lives. The team at Subway® did more than just fundraise, they fully integrated themselves in the partnership and this is one of the reasons it was such a long and successful relationship. “Strategic partnerships like this are such a huge benefit to charities like ours. The shared social mission of both organisations created the level of ambition needed to raise the money and reach the thousands of people who really needed our help. “Without Subway®, our healthy heart grants wouldn’t have been possible and we would like to offer our sincere thanks to them for allowing us to do so much more and help many more people.” Beneficiaries of some our partnership projects have said: “I can’t believe for seven years I have not been able to convince my child to eat a tomato and now he’s coming home excited telling me what he’s been making and even helping me cook at home. This is a fantastic opportunity. Thank you.” ‘’It’s been 55 years since I cycled but once you get out there and get cycling you feel 100% better for it. The Healthy Heart cycle project has made a big difference to me. It’s helped me be more active than I’ve been in years and I’ve lost just over 2 stone.” The Subway® and Heart Research UK partnership has positively impacted on people being able to keep their loved ones around for longer, successfully reaching across diverse and hard to reach communities.
Richard Brown Posted on February 17, 2023May 28, 2025 by Sarah Gill It is with great sadness we share the passing of much-loved Heart Research UK trustee Richard Brown. He passed away aged 76, on 11th January 2023. Richard had been a trustee with Heart Research UK since 2007. During his tenure he served term as Chair of Trustees followed by taking on the important role as Chair of the Finance Committee. As Chair of Trustees, Richard oversaw Heart Research UK’s steady growth, ensuring our long-term financial stability while helping to introduce several innovative and vital developments to the charity’s core activity. Throughout the pandemic and subsequent lockdowns, Richard prioritised staff wellbeing and employed a number of trustee-led initiatives to ensure that staff were appropriately looked after throughout extremely difficult times. His invaluable contribution as a trustee has meant we can continue to raise vital funds to support those living with heart diseases. Richard was a huge part of Heart Research UK for many years and will be much missed, his knowledge, attitude, and desire to do the right thing are attributes that will continue to guide all of us in the coming months and years. We continue to keep Richard’s family in our thoughts as they go through this difficult time.
Community healthy eating event in Leeds Posted on November 2, 2022May 28, 2025 by Sarah Gill By Ebba Ritzen Heart Research UK recently teamed up with Leeds Beckett University, the University of Leeds and Feel Good Factor to host an African and African-Caribbean community health event in Chapeltown, Leeds. The aim of the event was to raise awareness of the importance of nutrition, and to empower people in the community to make healthier food choices. Leeds Beckett University describes how traditional foods are central in the diets of UK Black Africans and Black Caribbeans, but free resources on healthy eating and nutrition in the UK include a very limited number of traditional African and Caribbean foods. It can therefore be difficult for GPs and health and social care organisations to support Black Africans and Black Caribbeans to improve their health. At the event, visitors were given recipe cards of healthier versions of traditional African and Caribbean beverages, dishes, and snacks, such as ackee and saltfish, goat curry and jerk chicken. The recipes have been created by researchers at Leeds Beckett University and the University of Leeds, in collaboration with members of the local community. The dishes were prepared for people to sample during the event. Heart Research UK’s Healthy Heart Coaches carried out blood pressure, cholesterol and body composition checks and also provided lifestyle advice where needed. This included advice on diet, physical activity, smoking and alcohol consumption. In total, 42 health checks were carried out and 20 people were referred to their GP due to high cholesterol or high blood pressure. 17 people were found to have high or very high blood pressure and 16 people had raised cholesterol levels, putting them at an increased risk of heart disease. Helen Flaherty, Head of Health Promotion and Education at Heart Research UK, said: “We’re really pleased with how the event went, a great collaboration between important stakeholders in Leeds and a positive step towards creating a healthier community. “It’s clear that these kinds of initiatives are needed in communities, shown by the number of people whose health checks resulted in them being referred to their GPs. “Hopefully we’ll be able to host many more events like this one in the future, making great use of funds donated to us by the public.”
Heart Research UK founder turns 100 Posted on October 20, 2022May 28, 2025 by Sarah Gill David Watson, the founder of Heart Research UK, is celebrating his 100th birthday. This is a chance for us to reflect on the incredible impact Mr Watson has had on heart research. Mr Watson first qualified in 1945 after training at various hospitals in London, and moved to what was then the regional cardiothoracic centre in Killingbeck, Leeds. To the Yorkshire Post, he says: “There was, really, no heart surgery at all. As a student, it was considered a thing of the future. I always wanted to be involved in this new surgical adventure into heart disease, which was initially considered very dangerous. However, with the advent of artificial circulation, it opened up this whole new field of heart surgery. ”But heart surgery still carried a lot of risks, which frustrated Mr Watson, especially following the death of a young patient after a long operation. In 1967, this pushed him to found what was then the National Heart Research Fund with the aim of making surgery safer. He launched an appeal with the Yorkshire Evening Post to raise funds to research ways of improving the safety at a time when 70 percent of heart attacks ended in death. “So I decided to found a new charity, specifically to try and reduce this risk of heart surgery. Now, of course, from a small beginning it has grown considerably and I’m very proud that at the present time they contribute something like over £2 million a year to research, development, education and treatment of heart disease,” Mr Watson says. In 1976, he developed an artificial heart valve which became the prototype for those used in heart surgery today. It was one of the most durable and reliable valves created and was used for 30 years. Then in 1979 Heart Research UK funded six of the first eight successful UK heart transplants, carried out by Sir Terence English at Papworth Hospital, breaking the moratorium on UK heart transplants after being deemed too dangerous in the late 1960s.“I supported his programme at a time when he couldn’t get funding from either the NHS or the British Heart Foundation. It was our support that enabled him to proceed,” Mr Watson says. Heart surgery is now safer than ever. Around 31,000 heart operations are carried out every year in the UK, with mortality rates steadily falling since the 1960s. Mr Watson remained a trustee and chairman of Heart Research UK for a number of years after retirement and, at 100 years old, is still our president.
The new edition of Pulse is here! Posted on October 7, 2022May 28, 2025 by Sarah Gill You can finally read the latest edition of our magazine Pulse. The latest edition of Pulse is finally here. It’s been a while since our last edition, and we’re excited to show you the new one. The new Pulse is slightly shorter than you might be used to. This is because we’ll be launching a new Pulse Hub right here on our website, where you can keep up to date with our amazing supporters, our pioneering medical research and how we invest in communities to prevent heart disease. But for now, don’t forget to check out any new articles on our Latest News page, and please enjoy the new edition of Pulse. You can expect everything from highlights of what we’ve been up to and news about our Healthy Heart at Work programme, to everything you need to know about our latest campaign HER Disease. And as always, a big thank you to our supporters.
New corporate partnership – Assured Mobility Ltd Posted on October 5, 2022May 28, 2025 by Sarah Gill We are delighted to welcome our new corporate partner, Assured Mobility Ltd. Assured Mobility Ltd, are a family-run business and specialists in a range of mobility products that support independent living. Many of their customers are living with heart failure and other serious health conditions, and this year-long partnership will both raise funds towards research into heart failure and help their staff better understand their customers’ needs. “Heart Research UK are a great charity with a real purpose at the core. Being research and cure focused they can make a real improvement to people’s lives, which mirrors our values as a business. Being a smaller charity means they are available to help make the fundraising process as effective as possible. We are really looking forward to seeing the fruits of our labours over the next year.” David Eatwell, Director Their fundraising activity will include donations on a range of products, a donation for every customer review, a Christmas Raffle, ‘The Big Stich’, coffee mornings and a sponsored Tough Mudder. You can donate here: Assured Mobility is fundraising for Heart Research UK (justgiving.com) Thank you so much, David and Team. We look forward to the year ahead.
A beginner’s guide to collecting art Posted on October 4, 2022May 28, 2025 by Sarah Gill By Olivia Schofield Being an art novice can be daunting, especially when you’re surrounded by collectors who have years of experience. However, buying your first artwork should spark enjoyment as the piece can be a great investment for years to come. Art sales have also been on the rise. An annual report by Art Basel and UBS Global Art in 2022 estimated that across the world art sales had exceeded $65.1 billion in 2021, with an increase in sales by 29%. This increase in demand means that now might be the perfect time to start your journey as a collector. To help you on your way to become an expert collector, we have a few top tips to make the process enjoyable and so you feel confident in your future art endeavours. Get familiar with different art genres and artists Art is not simply made up of one type of genre and over the years artists and art lovers alike have welcomed a myriad of textures, colours and styles. From Modern Art to Surrealism, there is a plethora of styles to choose from and finding your favourite style can be overwhelming. It’s important to get to grips with the different art genres before venturing into buying a piece of artwork. For a quick overview for spotting the different art genres, we recommend reading our article on your basic guide to art genres and where they work best in your home. This will give you a basic understanding of genres so you can find what best suits you. Trust your personal style and taste After brushing up on your genres. It is time to assess what you really like and want out of your piece of art. Art is about representing your individuality and taste. The art you are buying and placing on the walls of your home should be something you enjoy. So, when buying a piece of art, make sure you assess whether the piece is the right match for you and your home. It is not worth buying a piece spontaneously and not liking it in years to come. Does it match your interior design? It’s worth assessing your own personal space. What interior design do you have? What colour palette are you looking for? Having the wrong mixture, and clashing colours can create a space which is chaotic. For example, having an extremely modern interior wouldn’t match the bright and loud colours found in Pop Art. So, make sure you write a checklist of what you want in your home and how it will best suit your lifestyle. This means when you’re considering buying the artwork, you know it’ll perfectly compliment your space. Set your budget It’s easy to spend large amount on a piece of art you think will be worth the investment. However, a mistake some buyers can make is buying art which is too expensive to then never generate any profit back. Now you’ve read our beginners guide on collecting art, why not start your own collection by bagging a piece of artwork in the anonymous heART project auction. Not only will you be bringing your dream collection to life, but you will be funding vital research into the prevention, treatment and cure of heart diseases.
Helping hearts runs in the family Posted on September 7, 2022May 28, 2025 by Sarah Gill By Ebba Ritzen London Marathon 2022 is taking place on the 2nd of October. This year’s race follows a record-breaking year with roughly 40,000 people taking part in 2021. We’re lucky to always have so many amazing people running the London Marathon for us, and this year is no different. Among our runners this year there are actually two people with family ties to the charity!Phoebe WatsonPhoebe is the granddaughter of Dr David Watson, who founded Heart Research UK in 1967 after the death of a young patient. She’s running the marathon for the second time, admitting she feels terrified as she hurt her knee last time. Still, running for Heart Research UK is very important to her, and she’s proud of the work her grandfather did. “I don’t work in science or healthcare myself, so being able to contribute to the funding of more research by running feels great,” Phoebe says. Phoebe has a friend who’s had a heart problem since they were a baby, and it’s because of research that this person is still here today. Perhaps even research that her grandfather was able to support. Mathew’s dad is Kevin Watterson, a retired cardiac surgeon and one of our trustees. Mathew used to be a big runner about 10 years ago, doing events like Marathon Des Sables, a 251 km ultramarathon in the Sahara Desert. After a few busy years, turning 40 has inspired him to pick it back up again, to stay healthy for his family. Mathew didn’t think a lot about his dad’s job until a few years ago, when his wife mentioned his last name to someone at work. The colleague looked shocked for a second and asked if Mathew was Kevin Watterson’s son. The colleague then told the story of their daughter who had been extremely ill as a baby and needed multiple heart operations over the years to repair it. She initially had limited life expectancy, but luckily she was now 19 and healthy. They were incredibly grateful to Kevin Watterson and said they didn’t think the daughter would be alive without him and his work. Having his own kids, these stories have haunted Mathew, and he’s very keen to raise money for researchers to carry on the great cause that his dad contributed to. 50 years ago, 80% of babies born with a heart defect died, but now 80% survive, due to the great research being funded across the world. “Although most babies born with a heart defect now survive, 20% of them still don’t. Hopefully with more money for research, they might do in the future,” Mathew says. Mathew has a brilliant Instagram page (@one.more.beat) where you can follow his journey of training for the marathon, including some healthy heart tips from his dad who is his biggest supporter. His dad also ran the marathon for us back in 2004. Phoebe Watson says: “I don’t work in science or healthcare myself, so being able to contribute to the funding of more research by running feels great.” Mathew Watterson says: “Although most babies born with a heart defect now survive, 20% of them still don’t. Hopefully with more money for research, they might do in the future.”
International Women’s Day: The women whose research we’re funding Posted on July 3, 2022May 26, 2025 by Sarah Gill The 8th of March marks International Women’s Day and we’d like to take the opportunity to highlight some of the amazing women working in heart research, whose projects we’re funding Professor Gillian Gray, University of Edinburgh Gillian Gray is Professor of Cardiovascular Pharmacology at the University of Edinburgh. Her team discovered that a drug originally developed to treat obesity and diabetes also promotes repair of the heart after a heart attack and reduces the development of heart failure. The drug acts early after heart attack to prevent the spread of injury in the heart muscle and therefore has the potential to benefit many patients. The project we’re funding is investigating the benefits of the drug over existing drugs to treat heart failure and is looking further into the effects the drug has on the heart. Dr Amrit Daffu-O’Reilly, University of Leeds Dr Daffu-O’Reilly works at the University of Leeds as a Senior Researcher. Her research interest is in behaviour change to prevent and manage disease, reducing health inequalities and minority ethnic health. The research we’re funding is exploring perceptions of langar (a holy food offering) among the Sikh community. South Asian people living in the UK have up to a 50% higher risk of developing coronary heart disease compared to the general population, due to a variety of reasons. It has been suggested that a less than healthy diet and low physical activity levels are key contributors. In the place of worship in the Sikh community, the Gurdwara, a free meal is served, called langar, which tends to be high in calories. Dr Daffu-O’Reilly and her team is working together with two Sikh Gurdwaras, with the long-term plan of developing a toolkit to make healthy changes and lead by example, locally, regionally, nationally and hopefully internationally as well. Professor Georgina Ellison-Hughes, King’s College Professor of Regenerative Muscle Physiology Georgina Ellison-Hughes is aiming to eliminate so-called ‘zombie’ cells, which could alleviate age-related cardiac deterioration. Ageing is the greatest risk factor for many life-threatening disorders and the build-up of ‘zombie’ cells promotes ageing and age-related conditions including cardiovascular disease. These cells refuse to die and release chemicals that can be harmful to nearby cells, eventually turning these into ‘zombie’ cells as well. Prof Ellison-Hughes is investigating whether a new group of drugs can eliminate and/or stop the harmful chemicals they produce. This can improve the survival and growth of heart muscle cells and their ability to repair the heart. Prof Ellison-Hughes has also delivered a TEDx talk on rejuvenating a broken heart. The talk describes her research which led to the discovery that the adult heart is a self-renewing organ and can grow new heart cells. Dr Anna Gavin, Queen’s University Belfast As the Founding Director of the Northern Ireland Cancer Registry, Dr Anna Gavin’s project aims to establish a heart disease database for N. Ireland and link this with the cancer and stroke databases. The goal is to improve patient care and the outcomes for people in N. Ireland. Approximately 225,000 people are living with cardiovascular disease in N. Ireland, and it remains a major cause of death and disability. The linked databases should help scientists and doctors examine in more detail the trends in disease levels and the effects of prevention and treatments.
Pulse 2021 – Special Research edition Posted on July 9, 2021May 26, 2025 by Sarah Gill The latest edition of our Pulse magazine is here! As always, it’s packed full of inspiring and exciting articles that we’re proud to share with you. Despite the last few years being incredibly challenging, we have also had many reasons to celebrate. This edition of Pulse is a research special, featuring all the news on our latest research grants, as well as highlighting the three grants that we awarded to investigate links between COVID-19 and the heart. Heart Research UK has worked tirelessly to adapt to the COVID-19 restrictions in place to keep our research into the treatment, prevention and cure of heart disease on course. We have also had to adapt our fundraising – read all about #teamhruk in the virtual London marathon and our other fantastic fundraisers. Feeling hungry? Check out a few exclusive recipes from the Heart Research UK cookbook, featuring recipes form Joe Wicks, the Hairy Bikers and Gennaro Contaldo. We would like to thank everyone who supported Heart Research UK this year. We couldn’t have done it without you.
Our year in review: 2020 Posted on February 28, 2021May 28, 2025 by Sarah Gill 2020 was a tough year for all of us. But thanks to you, our wonderful and dedicated supporters, we were still able to achieve some pretty incredible things. We wanted to share some of those with you, with our review of 2020. We launched special grants to investigate links between heart disease and COVID-19, awarded over £400,000 to new research projects, smashed our fundraising record for the anonymous heART project, hosted an online quiz with our Patron Mark Bonnar and much, much more.
Our year in review – 2021 Posted on January 30, 2021May 28, 2025 by Sarah Gill 2021 was another challenging year for all of us. But thanks to you, our fantastic and dedicated supporters, we were able to deliver some remarkable achievements to help us take on heart disease. We wanted to share these with you, with our review of 2021. We awarded more than £2 million to research grants across the UK, which is more than ever before, this included funding research grants investigating links between heart disease and COVID-19, released our first ever cookbook with healthy recipes from John Wicks and other famous faces, smashed our fundraising goal for the anonymous heART project, launched our first campaign with Scottish Women in Sport and so much more.
Anonymous heART project 2020 – Meet the artists Posted on November 14, 2020May 28, 2025 by Sarah Gill By Charlotte Crompton. We know you’re all loving the anonymous heART project, but wouldn’t it be great to learn a little more about some of the artists behind the postcards? Here is a little more information about the artists who’ve contributed to this year’s auction. Just a note – the images here don’t necessarily correspond to the artists profiled. It’s got to be anonymous after all! Ralph Steadman Instagram: @steadmanart Since entering the industry as a cartoonist, Ralph has experimented throughout his 60 year career in sculpting, designing, and writing and has even illustrated classics such as Alice in Wonderland, Treasure Island and Animal Farm. He is maybe best known for his work with Hunter S. Thompson, producing the cover art for Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas. In recent years, Ralph has been illustrating political caricatures for the New Statesman, The Independent and the New York Observer. Pejac Instagram @pejac_art Pejac is a Spanish artist with a tremendous ability to communicate meaningful messages through his provocative, striking and emotional artwork. Throughout the Covid-19 lockdown, Pejac’s dedicated his time to producing artwork for healthcare workers and hospitals in his hometown of Santander, which was deeply affected by the virus. From his postcard, we could potentially expect something capable of stopping us in our tracks; forcing us to think and reflect on the difficulties faced by the world today. Ashley Jackson Instagram: @ashleyjacksongallery Ashley is one of Britain’s leading and most successful landscape watercolourists, whose artwork is synonymous with Yorkshire. The moors above and around his gallery are a common theme throughout his art. As he says: ““Yorkshire, if not for you I would not be an artist. You are the one who made my eyes see and my heart feel.” Fanakapan Instagram: @fanakapan Fanakapan is a London-based street artist with a high profile in the urban contemporary art scene. With his superb free hand skills, Fanakapan creates hyper realistic visuals of real life objects. The 3D effect of his creations look so realistic that they will force you to do a double take. The self-taught artist from Dorset wants people to decide for themselves what the message behind his artwork is. Norman Ackroyd, CBE, RA Instagram: @normanackroyd Born in Leeds, Norman is a landscape artist whose love for nature was nurtured by long bicycle rides in the Yorkshire Dales as a young boy. Despite working with a range of media, he is most prolific in etching. Norman has won a number of awards and his work is displayed in the Tate, the British Museum, and the National Gallery of Art, Washington. Hayden Kays Instagram: @Haydenkays Hayden Kays is a British artist whose work is characterised by bold imagery, accomplished craftsmanship and deadpan humour. His unique style has sold to celebrities such as Chris Martin and Noel Fielding and it has been the cover art for rock bands including The Kooks and the Tribes. Hayden’s first book, ‘Hayden Kays is an Artist’ is a selected collection of his art and has been declared ‘a seriously good-looking book’ by Banksy. Sarah Graham Instagram: @sarahgraham_art Sarah Graham is a British artist who works almost exclusively with oil on canvas. Her vibrant and energetic artwork is a reflection of her fun loving personality and self-confessed obsession with colour. In 2012, Sarah painted the album cover of the Kaiser Chief’s singles collection ‘Souvenir’, which was released worldwide. The bands lead singer, Ricky Wilson, praises Sarah’s ability to “take something mundane, like the lollies she paints, and elevate it to the status of something more.” Now you’ve got the info, can you spot the stunning pieces by these artists?
Art for hearts! The anonymous heART project is back and bigger than ever Posted on September 11, 2020May 26, 2025 by Sarah Gill In case you haven’t heard (where have you been?!), the anonymous heART project 2020 is live! This is the third year of one of our most exciting fundraisers. Almost 500 pieces of A5 artwork, created by a veritable who’s-who of international artists and celebs are all up for auction on eBay right now. The twist? Though the list of artists will be available to all bidders, the artist of each individual piece will be kept anonymous, only being revealed once the auction is over. Do you have an artistic eye keen enough to grab yourself a mini masterpiece? Robert Smith (The Cure), Ralph Steadman, Joe Lycett, and Ashley Jackson are just some of this year’s contributors. For a complete list and catalogue of the art, head on over to https://heartresearcho.wpenginepowered.com/anonymous-heart/, where you can check out your favourite pieces before bidding over on eBay. Now in its third year, the anonymous heART project has seen almost 1000 pieces of exceptional art auctioned off to raise money for our pioneering research into the prevention, treatment and cure of heart disease Kate Bratt-Farrar, Chief Executive of Heart Research UK, said: “The anonymous heART project is one of the most exciting projects Heart Research UK has ever run. The quantity and quality of the artwork that we have received from artists, designers and celebrities all over the world has been astounding. “We’re always looking for fun and interesting ways to raise money. The anonymous heART project allows people to support ground-breaking medical research but also get a little something back, owning their own mini-masterpiece created by an artist or celeb. So, head on over and get bidding!
Research Works – National Heart Month Posted on July 2, 2020May 26, 2025 by Sarah Gill To mark World Heart Month, throughout February we will be sharing the stories of some of our supporters and how research has changed their lives. You can read each of their stories below. In 2003 London taxi driver Dan Burgess experienced a life-threatening aortic dissection, which is a tear in the aorta – the major artery that takes blood from the heart to the rest of the body. Aortic dissection is a fatal condition for many patients and kills more people in the UK each year than road traffic accidents. Against the odds, Dan survived and went on to found Aortic Dissection Awareness UK & Ireland, the national patient association for aortic dissection, which supports people affected, campaigns to raise awareness and works to improve diagnosis and treatment. Thanks to research, Dan is still with us and his work has benefitted many other patients too. “I didn’t know whether she would survive. I sat praying the entire time that she would pull through.” Imogen was only six months old when doctors realised her chest infections were much more serious than they thought. She had a seven-hour long operation to correct a rare heart condition and then was put on a life-support machine. Thanks to research, Imogen is living a happy and healthy life. “So many people are living with genetic heart conditions without knowing. I was the first to discover it was in the family. I used to love high intensity exercise and had no idea I was putting myself in danger. I was on a run one morning when my heart went into VT (ventricular tachycardia – a heart rhythm disorder (arrhythmia) caused by abnormal electrical signals in the lower chambers of the heart). I was very lucky that I didn’t have a cardiac arrest. Thanks to research I now have an ICD in my chest that keeps me safe should my heart go into a dangerous rhythm again. I’m just happy to be here.” Rebecca Shorrocks suffered a heart attack in 1995, then I needed to undergo heart surgery in 1997. “I’m still here, and that’s down to research. Through the years, I’ve taken lots of medication for my heart, and it works wonders. I’m still here 25 years later, and that’s down to research. I was told I would have 10, maybe 15 years, but I’m still going strong. I live life to the fullest and just enjoy life now.” Hugh Moncrieff, discovered that he was suffering from Atrial Fibrillation. “Not too long ago, I struggled to walk very far and my breathing was terrible. I went to see my doctor, who thought I was having a heart attack, and the specialists in hospital ran tests and kept me there for over a week. Atrial fibrillation was suspected amongst other things. They put me on a course of medication, and told me I would most likely need an operation. I was advised to lose weight and exercise. I took on some Heart Research UK challenges, and I have now lost 6 stone and been discharged from hospital, with no operation required, and I’m raising a bit of money to give back to them to carry on the work that had saved my life.”
Caravan Guard smash fundraising milestone Posted on February 3, 2020May 26, 2025 by Sarah Gill Heart Research UK’s long standing corporate partner Caravan Guard have broken a major fundraising milestone, having now raised more than £110,000 for our pioneering research. Caravan Guard, who specialise in insurance for caravans and motorhomes, introduced their Paperless Policies initiative 10 years ago, which sees them donate £1 to Heart Research UK each time a new caravan, campervan or motorhome insurance customer opts for their policy documents to be emailed rather than posted out. Throughout 2019, Caravan Guard’s Paperless Policies campaign and other fundraising efforts raised a hearty £17,645, pushing the total gifted in the last decade to an incredible £110,887. Caravan Guard staff have also raised money by taking on challenges such as the Great North Run half marathon and running healthy heart events. A “love yourself” event saw the charity deliver health and lifestyle checks and staff were encouraged to make 2020 the year to care completely about their health, as well as others. Associate Director Laura Wilby presented Heart Research UK with a cheque for £17,645 during the Halifax-based company’s healthy heart day. “We’re delighted to have raised so much money for such a great cause in 2019 and absolutely thrilled to have smashed through the £100,000 mark in the last decade,” said Laura. “A big thank you to our customers too, who have chosen to go paperless so we can pass on all this money to help with the prevention, treatment and cure of heart disease.” Heart Research UK CEO, Kate Bratt-Farrar, said: “Over the last 10 years, we have been blown away time and again with the generosity of the Caravan Guard customers and staff. To have raised over £110,000 is a truly remarkable achievement, and we can’t thank them enough. “The money that Caravan Guard has raised will be used to benefit patients as soon as possible, funding life-saving research into the prevention, treatment and cure of heart disease.” To find out more about how your company can work with Heart Research UK to help us take on heart disease, visit our corporate partnership pages.