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.”
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.
What is ‘broken-heart syndrome’? Posted on November 2, 2022May 29, 2025 by Sarah Gill Ever heard of someone suffering from a broken heart? Although it might sound like a non-medical term, it is actually a real heart condition. ‘Broken-heart syndrome’ is also known as ‘stress-induced cardiomyopathy’, or more officially takotsubo cardiomyopathy. As you can tell from the name, this syndrome is a type of cardiomyopathy, a group of diseases that weaken the heart muscle and its ability to pump blood, and affect how electrical impulses spread through the heart. The syndrome is more common in women than men, mostly occurring in post-menopausal women. It is triggered by severe emotional or physical stress, such as a bereavement, and is thought to be caused by a surge in stress hormones, particularly adrenaline. The different types of cardiomyopathy affect the heart in different ways. ‘Broken-heart syndrome’ results in a weakening of the left ventricle, which is responsible for pumping oxygen-rich blood around the body. The condition is very rare, and usually temporary and reversible. If you have any concerns regarding your health, please speak to your doctor. You can call NHS 111 for non-urgent medical enquiries or call 999 for urgent, emergency medical attention. The content of this website is for education and information only and should not be used as a substitute for professional medical advice.
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.
Suffolk heart health project for women receives £9,000 grant Posted on September 30, 2022May 28, 2025 by Sarah Gill By Ebba Ritzen A new initiative from Suffolk charity ActivLives working to improve the heart health of women 55+ has received a £9,000 grant from Heart Research UK. The main aims of Ipswich-based ActivLives is to support and motivate people to improve their physical and mental health and general wellbeing whilst keeping people connected with their communities. The new project, ActivHearts Ladies Hub, will target women aged 55+, in particular those at high risk of heart disease. The weekly sessions will provide a non-judgmental place for women to meet to learn about healthy lifestyle, get advice and information from experts and also have a place to talk about their health and concerns with others. Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains one of the UK’s biggest killers and in Suffolk, an estimated 100,000 people were affected in 2017. It’s also estimated that high blood pressure affects more than a quarter of Suffolk’s population and that only four in ten adults in Suffolk with high blood pressure are both aware of their condition and are managing it properly. High blood pressure is a key risk factor for suffering a heart attack. The women participating in the new project will receive a health check initially and will also give their feedback after each session on how they feel they’re meeting their goals. The community group is wanting to see if this more focused approach can better help support and motivate people to improve their lifestyle and health The grant is part of Heart Research UK’s Healthy Heart Grants, awarded across the UK to local groups starting up new projects to improve the heart health of their community. ActivLives also received one of these grants back in 2013, for their Nordic walking programme for over 45’s mainly from deprived areas. Julie Stokes, Chief Executive Officer at ActivLives, said: “It’s wonderful to receive another Healthy Heart Grant to enable us to start up this women’s heart health hub. Working with Heart Research UK has been great and we look forward to keep promoting an active lifestyle and the importance of community for everyone’s wellbeing.” Helen Flaherty, Head of Health Promotion and Education at Heart Research UK, said: “We’re pleased to award another Healthy Heart Grant to ActivLives, after the success of the previous one. “23,000 women in the UK die of coronary heart disease every year, and therefore it’s important that groups such as ActivLives provide opportunities for people to learn about positive lifestyle changes they can make and share their experiences with other people.”
A statement about the HER Disease campaign Posted on September 9, 2022May 28, 2025 by Sarah Gill In light of the deeply sad news regarding the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, we’ve decided to temporarily pause our women’s awareness campaign for the entirety of the 17 days of royal mourning. We note that the TV commercial is currently still being shown on ITV3 and ITV Be, and we are in ongoing conversations with our media buyer to do all that we can to withdraw the commercial for the time-being. Whilst we are extremely proud of the HER Disease campaign and will continue to spread the important message, we acknowledge that it could cause some distress. Out of respect to the nation we feel pausing the campaign is the right decision.
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.