Does hot weather affect my heart Posted on May 7, 2025May 29, 2025 by laure@heartresearch.org.uk By Olivia Schofield When the heart is exposed to extreme heat, it has to work harder to keep the body cool to ensure it can work effectively. Dr Roy Jogiya, Chief Medical Adviser at Heart Research UK, reveals how hot weather can affect your heart and how you can stay cool. What happens to your heart when you are exposed to extreme heat? Heatwaves and hotter weather mean your body works harder to regulate its body temperature. This causes widening of the blood vessels, known as vasodilation, and sweating to help cool the body down, but this increases strain on the heart. Dr Roy Jogiya, Chief Medical Adviser at Heart Research UK, said: “The heart rate speeds up to pump blood through the wider blood , which could potentially put strain on the heart and blood vessels, especially in vulnerable individuals. “The most vulnerable groups include older adults, individuals with heart conditions, including high blood pressure. These groups may have poor heart and blood vessel function or be less able to adapt to heat stress, making them more likely to suffer from heat-related heart issues.” What are the signs that your heart might be struggling in hot weather? The key signs that your heart might be struggling in the heat include: BreathlessnessDizzinessChest painFatigueDiscomfort or pressure in the chestHeatwaves have been linked to increased hospital admissions for heart attacks, particularly among the elderly and those with pre-existing heart conditions. There have been cases where extreme temperatures have triggered abnormal heart rhythms known as arrhythmias or even cardiac arrest, often in people who are already vulnerable. What can I do to keep cool in the heat? It’s important to stay hydrated when it is hot and drink plenty of fluids. As you are sweating more than usual, you want to stop your blood pressure from dropping too much. Dr Roy explains: “Dehydration may impact heart health. It lowers blood volume, which can lower blood pressure, forcing the heart to pump harder and quicker. This increases the strain on the cardiovascular system and can lead to abnormal heart rhythms known as or increase the risk of heart attacks, especially in those already at risk of heart disease. “To stay safe and hydrated, limit outdoor activity during peak heat, and rest in a cool environment. Wearing lightweight clothing and avoiding alcohol or caffeine, which can dehydrate, will also help. Cooling methods like fans or cool showers are important, especially for those at higher risk.” Can I exercise when it’s a heatwave or hot outside? Exercise is extremely important for heart health, reducing your risk of high blood pressure and cholesterol, which are all contributing factors of heart disease. “Exercise in extreme heat can significantly increase heart rate and blood pressure, even in healthy individuals,” says Dr Roy. “The risk is higher with dehydration or if the body is not given enough time to adapt to the heat. Those engaging in outdoor activity should avoid intense exercise during the hottest part of the day and focus on hydration and rest.” It is also important to remember that when it is hot outside, you are more likely to suffer from heatstroke, which is a severe medical emergency caused by the body overheating. Heatstroke can cause symptoms including: ConfusionDizzinessLoss of consciousnessSweatingCold clammy skinFaintingMuscle crampsHeat rashOedema (swelling) in the anklesShallow or fast breathNausea or vomiting It places significant strain on the heart, and in vulnerable individuals, can trigger heart attacks or arrhythmias.If you suspect you or someone you know is suffering from heat stroke, seek medical advice immediately. Dr Roy says: “My key message is, stay aware of your heart health in extreme heat. Be proactive in managing hydration and rest. If you feel unwell, seek help immediately—early intervention can prevent serious complications. “If you have concerns about heat-related health risks, especially regarding your heart, it’s important to continue taking your prescribed medications and not stop them without medical guidance. Always consult your pharmacist or GP if you have any questions or worries. They can provide advice tailored to your specific health needs and help you manage risks effectively.” 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
THINK AORTA campaign update Posted on May 1, 2025May 26, 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/
BCS/Heart Research UK fellowship award winners announced Posted on February 13, 2025May 29, 2025 by laure@heartresearch.org.uk Heart Research UK and the British Cardiovascular Society (BCS) are delighted to announce the successful applicants for their clinical fellowship opportunities in 2025. The scheme offers the potential for clinical top-up training, allowing candidates across the NHS workforce to gain new clinical skills or experience in a global centre of excellence. Dr Reshma Amin, a cardiologist, has been awarded an individual clinical placement for up to two months. Reshma will visit the electrophysiology department at AZ Sint-Jan in Bruges, Belgium, under Dr Rene Tavernier, consultant cardiologist and head of department, to enhance her procedural skills in interventional cardiac electrophysiology and to learn new techniques in ablation which are not widely used in the UK. Reshma said: ‘I am honoured to have been selected as the recipient of the BCS Heart Research UK Fellowship. I am eager to begin this exciting clinical research opportunity in February 2025 within the Cardiac Electrophysiology Department at AZ Sint-Jan in Bruges, Belgium. I look forward to contributing to pioneering research in this field and collaborating internationally to advance our understanding of cardiac electrophysiology.’ Sarah Birkhoelzer, clinical research fellow, Oxford Centre for Clinical Magnetic Resonance Research, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, has been awarded an individual clinical placement for up to two months. Sarah will visit Brigham & Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School under the mentorship of Dr Muthiah Vaduganathan, co-director of the Center for Cardiometabolic Implementation Science at the hospital, to gain clinical and academic expertise in cardiometabolic renal disease. Sarah said: ‘I am honoured and excited to have been approved for a fellowship with one of the leading experts in heart failure at the esteemed Center of Excellence in Boston. This opportunity represents a significant milestone in my career as a cardiologist and is a testament to my dedication to advancing the field of cardiovascular medicine.’ Alex Savis, senior chief paediatric cardiac physiologist at Evelina London Children’s Hospital, has been awarded the individual clinical placement for a healthcare professional for up to one month. Alex will visit Dr Gabriela Leal, director and coordinator of the Paediatric and Neonatal Echocardiography Laboratory at the Instituto da Crianca e do Adolescente do Hospital das Clinicas da Universidade de Sao Paulo, to experience functional echocardiography in children and young people (C&YP) with reno-cardiovascular disease, including advanced imaging techniques to predict outcomes in this patient cohort, with the aim of changing patient management in future. Alex said: ‘I was absolutely thrilled to receive the news that I had been awarded a clinical fellowship by the British Cardiac Society and Heart research UK. As a cardiac physiologist, these opportunities are limited, which makes it all the more special. I am looking forward to visiting my chosen centre of clinical excellence (Instituto da Crianca e do Adolescente do Hospital das Clinicas da Universidade de Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil) in April for the opportunity to learn, interpret and implement advanced functional echo measurements to improve pathways of care for our paediatric renal patients.’ Dr Chiara Bucciarelli-Ducci, consultant cardiologist, Royal Brompton and Harefield Hospitals, Guys’ & St Thomas’ NHS Trust and CEO of the Society for Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance, has been awarded the team placement fellowship for a team of up to 6 people for one week. Chiara’s team will visit Brigham & Women’s Hospital in Boston, US, to develop the skills necessary to implement AI-assisted, automated and accelerated CMR acquisition in the NHS, working with Professor Raymond Yan-Kit Kwong. Chiara said: ‘My team and I were thrilled to be awarded this grant. We are a team of consultants, junior doctors and radiographers representing a truly multidisciplinary and multinational team and we are excited to contribute in making the NHS more efficient for our patients.’ For all awards, the funding is used to contribute towards travel, accommodation, salary and any local medical regulatory/certification costs. Successful candidates will be expected to provide a full report of their experience within one month of completion and a short video clip detailing their experience which will be used to promote the scheme. All fellowships must be completed by the end of May 2025. The individuals and team will each provide a short talk on their experience at the BCS Conference in June 2025.
Bloom Boutique Launches New Necklace and Extends Partnership with Heart Research UK Posted on February 7, 2025May 23, 2025 by laure@heartresearch.org.uk We are delighted to share that our valued corporate partner, Bloom Boutique, has launched a brand-new necklace as part of their ongoing commitment to tackling heart diseases in women. Every year, twice as many women in the UK lose their lives to heart diseases than to breast cancer. Tragically, many of these deaths could be prevented – women often face delays in receiving medical help, a 50% higher chance of misdiagnosis after a heart attack compared to men, and a harder time accessing treatment. Through our continued partnership with Bloom Boutique, we aim to raise awareness, drive change, and support life-saving initiatives to improve heart health across the UK. The latest edition of Bloom Boutique’s charity heart necklace builds on the success of their previous design and coincides with the renewal of their partnership with Heart Research UK for a second year. With every necklace sold, a portion of proceeds will be donated to fund vital research and outreach, reaffirming Bloom Boutique’s commitment to making a difference. This collaboration has already had a powerful impact, raising essential funds for pioneering medical research and community health checks. By purchasing this beautiful necklace, you’re not just adding a timeless piece to your jewellery collection, you’re also helping to protect the hearts of women everywhere. Get yours today and wear your support for women’s heart health. Together, we can save lives and spark change for our mothers, sisters, daughters, and friends across the UK. Get you necklace today
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.
World Obesity Day: Waist Size and Obesity Posted on March 3, 2023May 28, 2025 by Sarah Gill By Sabha Nisar Being overweight or obese is common in today’s times. The World Health Organisation (WHO) defines obesity as ‘abnormal or excessive fat accumulation that presents a risk to health’. According to the Health Survey for England (2019), 27% of men and 29% of women were reported obese in the UK. With 59% of men and 69% of women having a higher than desirable waist circumference.The link between waist circumference and your healthWhat is the link between waist circumference and your health? It is a well-known fact that having a high body mass index (BMI) poses a risk of developing cardiovascular or cardiometabolic diseases, but studies have shown that the distribution of weight is equally important. The type of fat that accumulates around the abdominal organs is called ‘visceral fat’. The excess fat carried around your waist increases the chances of adverse health conditions such as high blood pressure, stroke, heart diseases, diabetes mellitus and some cancers. Knowing your BMI and waist circumference (WC) measure is important for understanding your risk of developing long-term health problems, such as coronary heart disease. What are the waist measurement categories? Your risk can vary depending on your gender and ethnicity. Men tend to carry more fat around the abdomen (apple shaped body type) and women more on the hips (pear shaped body type). The WHO stated that a WC > 94 cm in men and > 80 cm in women is associated with an increased risk of metabolic complications and the risk is significantly increased with a WC > 102 cm in men and > 88 cm in women. The table below shows the recommendations for waist circumference according to your gender and ethnicity. Recently, the National Institute of Health and Care Excellence (NICE) recommended keeping the size of your waist to less than half of your height, as a simple formula to use and understand. How do you measure your waist? Experts encourage people to self-measure their waist to know their health risk. This also reduces any sense of discomfort or stigma they might feel from a healthcare professional taking the measurement. Simply apply a measuring tape halfway between the bottom of the ribcage and the top of the hips. Make sure the tape is straight and sitting firmly but not pulling too tightly – no cheating! Or click on our Healthy heart tip link to measuring your waist circumference. Once you understand the factors that could impact your health, take action to address them and improve your overall well-being. Further reading on: Healthy eating Exercise related tips Related pages
‘Less Sweet More Heart’ with MyFitnessPal Posted on February 16, 2023May 28, 2025 by Sarah Gill To kick off Heart Month 2023, we partnered with MyFitnessPal for a pop-up event at Observation Point in London, with health checks for the public and striking anatomical heart made entirely of sugar on show. Did you know that the average male Brit consumes 83% more sugar than the recommended allowance each year? Too much sugar in the diet can lead to weight gain and obesity, which can increase your blood pressure and your risk of coronary heart disease (CHD). Over two million people are living with CHD in the UK and it’s one of the biggest killers. A team from Heart Research UK were at Observation Point the whole day, checking people’s blood pressure and body composition, talking through the results and giving out nutritional advice. The team was led by Dr Helen Flaherty, Director of Health Promotion and Education and registered nutritionist. On show were also two anatomical hearts made entirely of sugar, one weighing 10,950g which is the recommended yearly allowance, and the other one weighing 20,075g which is what the average Brit consumes. Sarah, a woman who had her health checked by the Heart Research UK team, said she came along to the event to make sure her blood sugar was okay. “I have been trying to exercise and get fit but it’s a lifelong battle. I started because I found out my cholesterol levels are raised. “I’m aware that there’s a lot of hidden sugar in food, but I didn’t know that people eat so much more than what’s recommended. I try to be aware of what I eat but at the end of the day we’ve all got a sweet tooth. I just want to try and keep fit as long as possible.”
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.
New study finds vaping benefits blood vessel health as much as other nicotine replacements Posted on September 5, 2022May 28, 2025 by Sarah Gill By Ebba Ritzen A new study at Sheffield Hallam University investigating e-cigarettes’ effects on the blood vessels has found that they are as beneficial for the cardiovascular system as conventional nicotine-replacement therapy (NRT) when stopping smoking .It is estimated that there are 10 million cigarette smokers in the UK and 1.3 billion in the world. Smoking is the leading preventable cause of death worldwide, with the majority of these deaths due to cardiovascular disease (CVD). Around 78,000 people in the UK die from smoking each year. Stopping smoking will reduce the risk of CVD, but even the best methods have high relapse rates of over 75% within a year. The e-cigarette has already been embraced by the public and is considered to be the number one aid to stop smoking among those who want to quit. By 2020 they were being used by 27% of smokers attempting to quit, compared with 18% who used NRT. But although e-cigarettes have been found to help people smoke fewer cigarettes and appear to have a relatively small number of side effects, until now, little has been known about their effects on the heart and circulatory system and risk of developing CVD. The research project, funded by Heart Research UK and led by Dr Klonizakis, involved 248 smokers who wanted to stop smoking and who were randomly divided into three groups. One group received nicotine-rich e-cigarettes, another nicotine-free e-cigarettes and the third received conventional NRT. All groups also received behavioural change support that NHS stop smoking services provide. The main focus of the study was to find out how the three aids affect the cardiovascular system. It was found that there were immediate, positive effects on the small arteries and veins, with no significant difference between the three groups, and these benefits were most pronounced in those who smoked more than 20 cigarettes per day. The improvement in blood vessel health persisted both in the medium (three months after stopping smoking) and longer-term (six months after stopping) in all three groups, without any difference between the groups. The results show that e-cigarettes offer similar benefits to blood vessel health compared to established stop smoking methods and reduce CVD risk. This will help smokers make an informed decision about which option to choose. The research is also important because it may influence changes to the national ‘Stop Smoking’ strategy and the NICE guidelines on the use of e-cigarettes, and help to improve regulation of the e-cigarettes industry. The findings have recently been published in BMC Medicine. Dr Markos Klonizakis said: ‘Vaping is used widely both as a stop smoking aid and a recreational tool, overtaking smoking. Although our work doesn’t suggest that it is safe for the general population, it confirms that vaping can benefit the arteries and small of veins of people wishing to stop smoking. This is a ground-breaking finding, complementing previous work in the field. Hopefully, our work can help people and policy makers make the right decisions, to support smoking cessation.’ Helen Wilson, Head of Research at Heart Research UK, said: ‘Stopping smoking is one of the best ways to reduce your risk of cardiovascular disease. E-cigarettes have become a very popular choice for people wanting to give up smoking but until now, little was known about their effects on the heart and blood vessels. This study provides important new evidence to help people make an informed decision about which aid to stop smoking they choose. We are proud to have funded this important study.’
Birmingham’s biggest carnival scores local headline sponsor Posted on April 14, 2022May 28, 2025 by Sarah Gill By Ebba Ritzén Leading engineering firm adi Group, with their head office in Birmingham, is the headline sponsor for Harborne Jubilee Carnival 2022 in support of Heart Research UK. The carnival is taking place along Harborne High Street on June 26th.Birmingham’s biggest carnival, second only to Notting Hill in the UK, is returning this summer, after being cancelled in 2020 and 2021 due to Covid-19. This year, as it’s celebrating its 25th anniversary the same year as the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, the carnival has dubbed itself Harborne Jubilee Carnival for one year only. Heart Research UK Midlands is the charity partner of the carnival and adi Group are well aware of the importance of their work into prevention, treatment and cure of heart disease. Having supported the charity since 2015 they have raised nearly £120,000 to date for lifesaving research. Employees of the multidisciplinary engineering firm will be volunteering at the carnival as well as fundraising in the run up to the event and on the day. Entertainment will include live music, arts and crafts, stalls and fairground rides, as well as a focus on health and wellbeing. The organisers of the carnival are welcoming any sponsors or volunteers to help during the community event. Alan Lusty, CEO at adi Group, said: ‘We have built a remarkable relationship with Heart Research UK Midlands over the last seven years and are proud and delighted to be headline sponsors of this year’s Harborne Jubilee Carnival in support of the charity. ‘Recent times have been difficult and challenging for everybody and we’re very much looking forward to being involved in an event that focuses on bringing the local community together. As all money raised from the Harborne Carnival will go towards projects funded by Heart Research UK, we’re also engineering a better future for all.’ John Lloyd, Regional Executive at Heart Research UK Midlands, said: ‘Working in partnership with adi Group for so long has helped facilitate the funding of many local research and community projects here in the Midlands. We have big ambitions to expand the work of our charity within the local community and having adi Group as headline sponsors of this year’s carnival, supporting Heart Research UK Midlands, can make this a reality.’
UK receives its first ever national guidance to improve diagnosis of aortic dissection Posted on March 17, 2022May 29, 2025 by Sarah Gill 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 that carries blood from the heart to all organs. Although considered a rare condition, aortic dissection kills more people in the UK each year than road traffic accidents. Half of patients arriving at A&E with the condition are initially misdiagnosed, and a third are actively treated for a different, incorrect diagnosis, often with fatal results. Patients with an aortic dissection need an urgent CT scan to confirm the diagnosis. The new guidance on how to better diagnose the condition is welcomed by Aortic Dissection Awareness UK, who have been working to improve diagnosis of the condition through their ‘THINK AORTA’ campaign since 2017.The patient-led campaign quickly attracted the support of the leading professional medical societies. In 2018, through funding from Heart Research UK, tubes of ‘THINK AORTA’ posters were delivered to every A&E department in the UK and Ireland. During Patient Safety Awareness Week from 13-19th March, we want to join the national patient association in raising public awareness of aortic dissection and highlight the new national guidance on diagnosing the condition for the benefit of the medical profession, especially A&E staff and Radiologists. Gareth Owens, Chair of Aortic Dissection Awareness UK & Ireland, says: “To save lives in aortic dissection, doctors, nurses and paramedics simply need to learn to ‘THINK AORTA’, then do the CT scan and transfer the patient quickly to a specialist aortic centre for treatment.”
Black History Month: Notable black figures who pioneered cardiology Posted on December 10, 2021May 26, 2025 by Sarah Gill October marks the start of Black History Month and at Heart Research UK we wanted to honour notable black cardiologists throughout history and the extraordinary work they have contributed to their field, paving the way for the modern treatments and surgeries we have today. Early heart surgery and the venture into the unknown – Daniel Hale Williams Today, heart surgery is commonplace however, this was not always the case. Cardiologist Daniel Hale Williams was one of the first doctors to perform open-heart surgery in the United States. In the late 19th century, many surgeons believed that surgery was impractical and unethical. However, the former shoemaker’s apprentice would not take no for an answer. Instead, he performed the first surgery in 1893 on 24-year-old James Cornish who had stuffed a stab wound, damaging the protective sac surrounding his heart, called pericardium. Dr Williams’ operation was successful and William’s contributions in medicine went beyond the operating room. The physician helped found the Provident Hospital and Training School for Nurses, reportedly the first U.S. hospital with both Black and White staff members. He also established the National Medical Association, a professional organisation for African Americans in medicine. Bravely venturing into the unknown, Dr Williams’ incredible contributions helped pave the way to future successes in heart surgery. Treating critically ill babies and combating racism – Vivien Theodore Thomas After losing most of his savings and dropping out of college during the Great Depression, former carpenter Vivien Theodore Thomas helped to pioneer surgery to cure the congenital heart condition called tetralogy of Fallot. The condition involves four abnormalities in the heart’s structure including a narrowed pulmonary valve, thickened muscle of the right ventricle, one of the lower heart chambers and an overriding aorta (the largest artery in the body). The cardiologist trained as a surgical assistant in the 1930’s and in 1944 he helped to develop the initiative “blue baby surgery”, to correct the congenital heart condition, along with surgeon Dr. Alfred Blalock and paediatric cardiologist Dr. Helen Taussig at The Johns Hopkins Hospital. After realising that the key was increasing blood flow to the lungs and around the body, and by repairing some of the abnormalities, Blalock and Thomas performed their first surgery on a child called Eileen Saxon, who was an 18-month-old baby born with tetralogy of Fallout. Thomas was unable to perform the surgery because he did not have a university degree instead, he had to coach Blalock through the painstaking surgery. Unfortunately, Eileen’s surgery only prolonged her life for a few months; however, the pair repeated the surgical procedure on two more children, which were both successful. Thomas’ work marked the start of essential cutting-edge surgery to save the lives of children born with heart conditions. However, due to racism and prejudice towards his lack of university education Viven Thomas’ crucial role was not recognised as the procedure was initially called the Blalock-Taussig shunt with no mention of Thomas in the papers. Leading female cardiologists – Myra Adele Logan, Elizabeth Odilile Ofili and Dr. Jennifer Mieres. During the early 1940’s Dr. Myra Adele Logan became the first woman to perform open-heart surgery which was reportedly the ninth time the procedure had been performed worldwide. Logan’s research extended beyond heart surgery as she also studied antibiotics and breast cancer. Notably, her contributions included the development of more accurate tests to detect the density differences in breast tissue. Her work extended beyond the medical field as a surgeon, and at the Harlem Hospital in New York, she was also a founding partner of the first physicians group practices in the United States. Elizabeth Odilile Ofili, also made a vital impact in the field of cardiology with her leadership of the “Landmark African American Heart Trial” (AHEFT). This trial changed the guideline on how heart failure is treated among African Americans today. Ofili is recognised globally for her dedication to cardiovascular disparities in women’s health. Finally, another leading female figure who paved the way, Dr. Jennifer Mieres, is one of the leading cardiovascular disease experts, and her dedication to patient advocacy and mentorship was recognised by the “ACC’s 2014 Women in Cardiology mentoring award.” A pioneer and advocate – Charles R. Drew Bright student Charles R. Drew did not know what to do for his career until two experiences got him interested in medicine. An injury on the football field and his sister’s tuberculosis helped him to discover a passion for medicine and an interest in how the body works. Whilst studying at McGill University Faculty of Medicine, Drew became interested in transfusion medicine during his surgical residency where he worked with bacteriologist John Beattie. This led Drew to conduct research into transfusion medicine where he found if you separate blood from plasma, it lasted longer making it possible for blood to be stored. This meant that blood could be preserved and shipped overseas where it could even be taken to a battlefield. In 1940, Drew became a lead on the special medical effort called Blood for Britain during the Second World War. Drew also became assistant director of a new national blood bank system for the American Red Cross collecting 10,000 pints of blood for the war effort. However, the military stated that blood taken from African American donors should not be given to white people. Drew knew this was scientifically and morally wrong and he spoke out against the racism, subsequently resigning from his job. He then went on to become Chief of Surgery at Freedmen’s Hospital where he spent the next nine years mentoring students and advocating education and inclusion for African Americans in medicine.
Heart Research UK awards £250k COVID-19 Research grant to University of Glasgow Posted on April 14, 2021May 28, 2025 by Sarah Gill A project at the University of Glasgow that is aiming to better understand the effects that COVID-19 infection has on blood vessels and blood pressure has received a grant of £250,000 from national charity Heart Research UK. Research has shown that people who are older, obese, male or those who have other medical problems including high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, cancer, or chronic lung conditions, have a higher risk of developing severe COVID-19. High blood pressure is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease and is very common with more than one quarter of adults in the UK affected. The virus causing COVID-19 enters the body’s cells through a receptor called ACE2 which is found in the lungs, heart, blood vessels, kidneys, liver, and bowel. ACE2 is very important for maintaining many of the body’s important processes including blood pressure, inflammation, and wound healing.COVID-19 can also cause damage to the walls of the blood vessels which makes the risk of blood clots higher and this has been seen more often in people with high blood pressure. The reasons for this are not yet known which is why we need to understand more about the links between COVID-19 and high blood pressure. This study, which will be led by Professor Sandosh Padmanabhan, Professor of Cardiovascular Genomics and Therapeutics, aims to answer whether: High blood pressure makes COVID-19 infection worse and if so, why. COVID-19 infection makes high blood pressure worse and if so, why. Monitoring and management of high blood pressure needs to be a greater priority during the pandemic. Prof Padmanabhan (L) and team The study will look at routinely collected health records for people in the West of Scotland who attended hospital or had a positive test for COVID-19 between April 2020 and April 2021. This will be compared to the records of patients who attended hospital during 2019, for another reason. They will also look in detail at a group of people with high blood pressure. Prof Padmanabhan’s team will also study a group of people that have recovered from COVID-19 infection. They will undergo blood pressure monitoring, and tests of heart and blood vessel health. These tests will be repeated after 12 and 18 months to see if there have been any changes. They will be compared to a group of people who have not had COVID-19.Finally, the study will look at markers in the blood (biomarkers) with the aim of identifying any which are linked with high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, or death in COVID-19.This study will give us a better understanding of the links between COVID-19 infection and high blood pressure, and help to improve the long-term outcomes for survivors of COVID-19. Also, the findings may lead to recommendations on the monitoring and management of blood pressure during the pandemic. Prof Padmanabhan said: “The current COVID-19 pandemic, caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, has exposed unexpected cardiovascular vulnerabilities at all stages of the disease. The mechanism by which the SARS-CoV-2 virus causes infection is believed to directly and indirectly affect the cardiovascular system potentially resulting in new-onset hypertension, heart failure and stroke and represents an insidious feature of long-COVID. “The burden of hypertension as a consequence of the COVID-19 pandemic is unknown, but given the scale of the infection especially among the young this will be a major concern for the future. In this project, we plan to generate valuable evidence that will inform hypertension management strategies and reduce cardiovascular risk for survivors of COVID-19.”
Heart Research UK pledges over £500,000 for COVID-19 research Posted on March 6, 2021May 26, 2025 by Sarah Gill Given the overwhelming response to our new COVID-19 research grant, we have decided to fund three new research projects to investigate how COVID-19 affects the heart and circulatory system – an investment of over half a million pounds. Research has shown that people with cardiovascular conditions, including high blood pressure, have a higher risk of developing severe COVID-19. COVID-19 can also cause ‘new’ damage to the heart and blood vessels in people who have no pre-existing disease. Heart Research UK’s new grant scheme was designed to fund pioneering research to investigate these links and improve outcomes for patients suffering from COVID-19 who may have underlying cardiovascular problems. The grants have been awarded to Newcastle University, the University of Dundee and University of Glasgow. The University of Dundee project, led by Professor Faisel Khan, Professor of Cardiovascular Sciences, will study whether inflammation in the body caused by COVID-19 contributes to long-term damage to the blood vessels. The project at the Newcastle University, which will be led by Professor Ioakim Spyridopoulos, Professor of Cardiovascular Gerontology, will investigate long-term inflammation of the heart in COVID-19 patients. It is hoped that the findings will guide immune-therapies to prevent heart inflammation and therefore reduce the risk of cardiovascular complications in patients recovering from COVID-19. The project at the University of Glasgow, led by Professor Sandosh Padmanabhan, Professor of Cardiovascular Genomics and Therapeutics, is aiming to answer whether: High blood pressure makes COVID-19 infection worse and if so, why. COVID-19 infection makes high blood pressure worse and if so, why. Monitoring and management of high blood pressure needs to be a greater priority during the pandemic. Kate Bratt-Farrar, Chief Executive of Heart Research UK, said: “We have known for some time that people with pre-existing heart problems are more susceptible to suffering severe consequences from COVID-19, as well as the virus being able to damage the heart itself. “However, there is a gap in the research here, and Heart Research UK is very proud to be funding three cutting edge projects that are aiming to help us better understand the most pressing medical challenge in a generation. “The research we fund has one aim – to benefit patients as soon as possible. We are hopeful that these projects will help to bring about tangible improvements in the way we care for those with COVID-19 and cardiovascular issues.”
Fundraising record smashed! Anonymous heART project raises over £53,000 Posted on November 30, 2020May 28, 2025 by Sarah Gill We are delighted to announce that the anonymous heART project 2020 has raised an unbelievable £53,000! All 497 of the original, A5 artworks sold on the online auction, which ran on eBay from the 6th-15th November. All of the pieces were sold anonymously, and though a full list of contributors was available, the artist of each piece has been kept a secret, only being revealed to winning bidders now the auction is over. The bestselling piece was an original painting by Robert Smith, iconic rock star and frontman of The Cure, which commanded a stunning £5,100 in the online auction. The piece, entitled “I will kiss you forever…” featured the lyrics “on nights like this”, taken from The Cure’s hit song ‘The same deep water as you.’ The second highest seller was by internationally-acclaimed Spanish painter Pejac, piece titled ‘Bottomless pit’ fetching a whopping £1,793. Now in its third year, the anonymous heART project has seen over 1,300 artworks sold, raising over £110,000 for Heart Research UK’s pioneering research in to the prevention, treatment and cure of heart disease. Kate Bratt-Farrar, Chief Executive of Heart Research UK, said: “The dust has finally started to settle from 2020’s anonymous heART project, and what a journey it has been. Every year, we are blown away by the generosity of the artists and the people bidding. We’ve smashed our fundraising target, so we would all like to say a huge thank you to everyone who has donated their time and efforts to the campaign. “At Heart Research UK, 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-masterpieces. “What makes this project so special is that everyone has the chance to own a piece of iconic art. It really is making high class art available to all, and we’re thrilled all 497 pieces have found a new home! To find out more and to register your interest in next year’s anonymous heART project, please visit heartresearch.org.uk/anonymous-heart/
Heart Research UK launch special grant to investigate links between COVID-19 and heart disease Posted on September 18, 2020May 28, 2025 by Sarah Gill We are proud to announce that we has launched a new grant of up to £250,000 for research projects investigating the relationship between COVID-19 and heart disease. People with existing cardiovascular disease have a higher risk of severe complications from Covid-19 infection, and evidence is emerging that the virus can cause damage to the heart. There is a pressing need to improve our understanding of the links between COVID-19 and the cardiovascular system, including how COVID-19 infection influences heart disease and whether it changes the ways in which we treat patients. Helen Wilson, Head of Research at Heart Research UK said: “There is a real need for research into the effects of COVID-19 on the cardiovascular system. More and more, we are seeing compelling evidence that this virus can cause long term damage to the heart, and that people with existing heart conditions are at a higher risk of becoming seriously ill with Covid-19. “Therefore, research is vital to better understand this disease, and improve the ways that we treat and care for patients so that we can potentially save more lives. “Heart Research UK has always been at the cutting edge of research into heart disease, and we are proud to be playing our part in the fight against COVID-19.” Kate Bratt-Farrar, Chief Executive at Heart Research UK, said: “This year has shown us the true importance of medical research. It is the only way that we hope to be able to improve the treatment and care on offer to people affected by heart disease. “With this brand-new grant, we are hoping to support research that is going to have a timely and lasting impact on the lives of people that are at risk. “Heart Research UK has always focused on benefitting patients as soon as possible, and through this grant, we hope to be able to improve the treatment and care on offer to people suffering from heart disease.” As a member of the Association of Medical Research Charities (AMRC), Heart Research UK uses a rigorous scientific review process to ensure that only the best research projects in universities and hospitals are funded. The Medical Review Panel advises the Charity on which research projects to support and is made up of scientists and clinicians from research institutions across the country. For more information on the Heart Research UK COVID-19 Research Grant, and to submit an application for your research project, please visit https://heartresearcho.wpenginepowered.com/covid-19-grant/