Soon after retirement from his much loved professional rugby league career, Keegan was shocked to be diagnosed with Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) and Heart Failure. He shares his story here with Rob Underwood, speaking candidly about the mental and physical challenges he faced in acknowledging reality of the condition. Keegan also talks openly about the raw emotions he went through when coming out, both privately and publicly, as gay. He goes on to praise the value of Pride Month, in raising awareness surrounding the continuing challenges faced by the LGBTQ+ community.

For over 60 years, British Heart Foundation has led the way in transforming the outlook for people with heart and circulatory diseases. Now, with your support, we are funding vital research into inherited heart muscle conditions like dilated cardiomyopathy. Work that could lead to earlier diagnosis, better treatments and lives saved. People like Keegan are counting on this progress and with your support, we can keep pushing forward.

As a charity, BHF depends on the generosity of donors and thank you to those who already give. If you too would like to donate, you can do so by going to bhf.org.uk/donatepod. Meanwhile, if you have any questions or concerns about your own heart or circulatory health and would like to talk to a cardiac nurse on the BHF’s free Heart Helpline, just go to our website at bhf.org.uk/hearthelpline where you'll find all the contact options. Also, if you’d like to share your own heart story, or have thoughts on this episode, do email us at, [email protected].

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Here on the Ticker Tapes, since we launched back in 2021, we’ve been lucky enough to have had compelling conversations with many people impacted by heart disease. We’ve covered everything from coming through major heart surgery to caring for someone with a heart condition, and on this episode we’re re-visiting a story first published back in the spring of 2023.

Jody and Jamie Crook are tireless supporters of the work of BHF. They know only too well the emotional rollercoaster of living with an inherited heart condition, and the impact it has had on their family has been nothing short of monumental. Yet they bravely use their own experience to help others feel less alone and to highlight the need to fund research into such conditions.

Their story began in early August 2021, when their daughter Sienna – then just 14 months old – had a sudden cardiac arrest after returning home from an outing to the park with friends. She went on to be diagnosed with the inherited and currently incurable Brugada Syndrome, which Jody and Sienna’s brother Theo have since discovered they also have. In this episode Jody speaks bravely about the journey they have all been on. We hope you enjoy the chance to listen again.

As a charity, the British Heart Foundation depends on the generosity of donors to continue carrying out our lifesaving research. If you would like to donate, you can do so at bhf.org.uk/donatepod

If you've got any questions or concerns about your heart or circulatory health and want to talk with a cardiac nurse on the BHF’s Heart Helpline, go to our website at bhf.org.uk/hearthelpline and you'll find all the contact options.

And if you’ve got your own heart story, or have any thoughts on this episode, we'd love to hear from you at: [email protected]

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Emma Green’s personal heart health story actually started before she was even born. Her father Matthew tragically lost his own mum when he was only 13. She died very suddenly following a sudden cardiac arrest, and Emma remembers growing up, how birthdays and Mother’s Day were always difficult and very emotional for her beloved dad.

Then, just four days after Christmas in 2019, Emma’s own life was turned upside down when Matthew himself died following a cardiac arrest at home, in the middle of the night. Emma was just 15 when this happened and her younger brother was only nine years old. Left grieving and picking up the pieces, Emma then went to suffer two years of terrifying blackout episodes before almost losing her own life - and then finally getting some answers as to what was happening to her, and what had happened to her dad and grandmother.

Emma is a truly remarkable person who has been through more in her two decades than many people will face in a lifetime. But, as she tells Sarah Marsh, she is absolutely determined that her story be used to help others. And she’s determined to tell Matthew’s story for the same reason, especially because he’s not here to do it himself.

BHF is committing to saving lives and giving everyone more time with the people they love. From revealing the hidden dangers in our DNA, to designing better diagnostic equipment, to exploring new targets for future drug development, BHF-funded research into Long QT Syndrome could help achieve that goal.

And BHF is also committed to sharing stories of heart patients, and their family members and carers, to ensure people going through something difficult know they’re not alone. Visit: www.bhf.org.uk/informationsupport to find out more. You can also find many real stories by searching online for BHF’s Heart Matters Magazine.

As a charity, the British Heart Foundation depends on the generosity of donors to continue carrying out our lifesaving research. Thank you to all those who already give. If you too would like to donate, you can do so at bhf.org.uk/donatepod

Meanwhile, if you've got any questions or concerns about your heart or circulatory health and want to talk with a cardiac nurse on the BHF’s free Heart Helpline, go to our website at bhf.org.uk/hearthelpline where you’ll find all the contact options. And if you’d like to share your own heart story or have any thoughts on this episode, we’d love to hear from you. Please email us at, [email protected]

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to Alumni Reflections, in which we speak to inspiring and highly influential members of the BHF’s community of researchers, and get to know the person behind the science. 

In this episode, we’re at the BHF’s Head Office in Camden, London where, in October 2024, BHF Director of Research, Professor James Leiper, was joined by Robin Choudhury, Professor of Cardiovascular Medicine at the University of Oxford. 

Robin’s clinical expertise is in the treatment of heart attack, and his lab works to understand the cellular and molecular mechanisms of heart injury and repair. His passionate interest in the heart, which he has held since the age of 14, is matched by his fascination with the visual arts, and Robin has united these two great loves in his new book, The Beating Heart: The Art and Science of Our Most Vital Organ, which explores how the heart has been represented over time and across cultures. 

You can find out more about Robin’s research at https://www.rdm.ox.ac.uk/people/robin-choudhury, and can purchase a copy of his book, The Beating Heart: The Art and Science of Our Most Vital Organ on the Bloomsbury website, here: https://www.bloomsbury.com/uk/beating-heart-9781837931743/. 

If you’re a researcher whose work has received BHF funding, or if you’ve worked in a BHF-funded lab, we warmly welcome you to join your BHF research alumni community. For more information, and to sign-up to the BHF Alumni mailing list, visit bhf.org.uk/alumni.

The BHF spends at least 70p of every £1 donated on lifesaving research. If you’d like to help us fund the next research breakthrough by supporting the work of people like Robin, visit bhf.org.uk/donate.

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All parents go on an emotional journey with their first child, but Maia Wiggett’s arrival into the world was nothing short of a rollercoaster. Born six weeks prematurely, Maia was just a day old when her parents Meera and Shaun were told two large holes had been found in her heart and without surgery she would die.

What followed was months of worry and work, with Maia needing an interim surgical procedure to buy the time needed for her to gain the strength for major heart surgery. But little Maia also went on to be diagnosed another condition, tracheal stenosis, meaning her windpipe hadn’t formed properly. And this was just the start of her story.

But despite all the challenges facing her, and her family, Maia showed her fighting spirit right from the start. Now, a decade on, and Maia is a force of nature - a keen advocate for other children in need, she has her own YouTube channel and is also a young carer, helping to support her younger brother Kyan who has his own diagnosis, and complex needs.

On this episode Maia’s proud mum Meera speaks about what it’s like to be told your child may not live through the night and, 10 years later, watch them receive a richly deserved Young Heart Hero Award.

To find out more about the BHF Heart Hero Awards and how you can nominate a brave young person, visit: https://www.bhf.org.uk/how-you-can-help/heart-hero-awards

As a charity, the British Heart Foundation depends on the generosity of donors to continue carrying out our lifesaving research. Thank you to all those who already give. If you too would like to donate, you can do so at bhf.org.uk/donatepod

Meanwhile, if you've got any questions or concerns about your heart or circulatory health and want to talk with a cardiac nurse on the BHF’s free Heart Helpline, go to our website at bhf.org.uk/hearthelpline where you’ll find all the contact options. And if you’d like to share your own heart story or have any thoughts on this episode, we’d love to hear from you. Please email us at, [email protected]

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

At the age of 38, Donna collapsed at home in the bathroom one morning with a cardiac arrest. The remarkably quick thinking actions of her children though, alerted a close neighbour who was thankfully able to perform CPR while they waited for paramedics to arrive. Now, having finally returned to work, Donna recounts her compelling story with Rob Underwood, recognising just how incredibly fortunate she was on that day. She also talks about living life now with an ICD fitted, maintaining a positive attitude while leading an inspirational heart health fundraising campaign in the local community.

For over 60 years, British Heart Foundation has pioneered decades of advances in the treatment of heart and circulatory diseases. Now, with your support, we are funding research that could improve the diagnosis of dangerous heart rhythm problems and potentially prevent life-threatening complications giving hope to people like Donna, but we have so much more to do.

As a charity, BHF depends on the generosity of donors so that we can keep funding lifesaving research into all heart and circulatory diseases. Thank you to all those who already give. If you too would like to donate, you can do so by going to bhf.org.uk/donatepod.

Meanwhile, if you have any questions or concerns about your own heart or circulatory health and would like to talk to a cardiac nurse on the BHF’s free Heart Helpline, go to our website at bhf.org.uk/hearthelpline where you'll find all the contact options. Also, if you’d like to share your own heart story, or have thoughts on this episode, do email us at, [email protected].

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to Alumni Reflections, in which we speak to inspiring and highly influential members of the BHF's community of researchers, and get to know the person behind the science.

In our first episode, we head to the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh where, in March 2024, BHF Director of Research, Professor James Leiper, was joined by Joanna Wardlaw CBE, Professor of Applied Neuroimaging at the University of Edinburgh. 

Joanna, who is among the top 10 most highly cited female researchers in the UK, is internationally recognised for her work in vascular disease and brain imaging. She is also a Group Leader at the UK Dementia Research Institute, and this Alumni Voices event celebrated the British Heart Foundation’s new partnership with the UK DRI. Together, we’ll invest £9 million into launching the UK’s first research centre dedicated to finding new treatments to prevent, halt and ultimately cure vascular dementia. We’re proud that Joanna will be Clinical Director of this groundbreaking Centre. 

You can find out more about Joanna’s research at https://ukdri.ac.uk/team/joanna-wardlaw, and about the new Centre for Vascular Dementia Research, at https://www.bhf.org.uk/what-we-do/news-from-the-bhf/news-archive/2023/november/bhf-and-uk-dri-announce-centre-for-vascular-dementia-research. 

If you’re a researcher whose work has received BHF funding, or if you’ve worked in a BHF-funded lab, we warmly welcome you to join your BHF research alumni community. For more information, and to sign-up to the BHF Alumni mailing list, visit bhf.org.uk/alumni.

The BHF spends at least 70p of every £1 donated on lifesaving research. If you’d like to help us fund the next research breakthrough by supporting the work of people like Joanna, visit bhf.org.uk/donate.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Alba Butler is only seven years old but she’s been through more in her short life than many of us may face in a lifetime. Diagnosed in the womb with a congenital heart condition, Transposition of the great arteries (TGA), Alba underwent her first heart operation at just an hour old. This was followed by open heart surgery lasting more than nine hours when she was just eight days old.

Alba will need another operation in the coming years, but thankfully now this brave, bright, confident and kind little girl is thriving at school, embracing her love of dance and along with her family is happy to share her story in the hope that it can help others feel less alone.

On this emotional episode with Sarah Marsh, Alba’s mum Alejandra speaks about what it’s like to be told that there’s a 50% chance your first-born may not survive, how she and her partner Dan coped when Alba was in surgery, how far they’ve all come and how incredibly proud they were to see Alba receive a BHF Young Heart Hero Award.

Each day in the UK around 13 babies are diagnosed with a congenital heart condition. Before the BHF was founded in 1961 the majority of babies born with congenital heart disease died before their first birthday, but now thanks to research more than 80% survive.

The charity is powering cutting-edge science that will lead to vital breakthroughs in this field. With your support BHF-funded research can improve diagnosis and treatment for babies, children and adults with a congenital heart condition.

As a charity, the British Heart Foundation depends on the generosity of donors to continue carrying out our lifesaving research. If you too would like to donate, you can do so at bhf.org.uk/donatepod

If you've got any questions or concerns about your heart or circulatory health and want to talk with a cardiac nurse on the BHF’s Heart Helpline, go to our website at bhf.org.uk/hearthelpline and you'll find all the contact options there.

And if you’ve got your own heart story, or have any thoughts on this episode, we'd love to hear from you on email at [email protected]

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tom Henson was just 23 years old when his life was cruelly and suddenly cut short in late July 2018. The sport-mad Sheffield United fan had been playing a game of football with friends after work on a summer evening when he collapsed and died having suffered a sudden cardiac arrest. Later it was discovered that Tom had a congenital heart condition called supravalvular aortic stenosis, but there had been no signs. Tom was seemingly fit, healthy and full of life – until the day he never came home.

Following his loss the lives of Tom’s loved ones were shattered. But his mum Nikki, brother Joe and step-dad Shaun have devoted themselves in the years since to setting up a charitable foundation in his name, raising money for community defibrillators and Joe – who was only 15 when Tom died - was also inspired to work for the ambulance service. They are also tireless supporters of the work of the British Heart Foundation.

On this episode with Sarah Marsh, Shaun talks bravely about his memories of Tom and his legacy, how the family has coped with crippling grief and yet been inspired to use their experiences to raise vital funds and awareness. This episode was originally published on the sixth anniversary of Tom’s death.

Currently every week in the UK, 12 people under the age of 35 tragically lose their lives to sudden cardiac death. The BHF’s Urgency Campaign is centred around 12 stories of incredible young people whose future hopes and dreams were suddenly lost in an instant because of this condition. Tom and his family’s is one of them. But your donations could help up stop this awful reality. Discover more about the other stories at the heart of our campaign and how you can help here: https://www.bhf.org.uk/

As a charity, the British Heart Foundation depends on the generosity of donors to continue carrying out our lifesaving research. If you too would like to donate, you can do so at bhf.org.uk/donatepod

If you've got any questions or concerns about your heart or circulatory health and want to talk with a cardiac nurse on the BHF’s Heart Helpline, go to our website at bhf.org.uk/hearthelpline and you'll find all the contact options there.

And if you’ve got your own heart story, or have any thoughts on this episode, we'd love to hear from you on email at [email protected]

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

At just 22, Faith, an online fitness coach and keen athlete, suffered a devastating heart attack while driving home after playing in a hockey match. In this episode, Faith bravely tells Rob Underwood her story and talks about the impactful heart related challenges she’s since faced along the way. She's also passionate about inspiring others on a similar journey, whilst raising awareness surrounding heart health, particularly among younger people.

For over 60 years, British Heart Foundation has pioneered decades of advances in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of heart attack, providing hope to people like Faith. But we have so much more to do. As a charity, BHF depends on the generosity of donors so that we can keep funding lifesaving research into all heart and circulatory diseases. Thank you to all those who already give. If you too would like to donate, you can do so by going to bhf.org.uk/donatepod.

Meanwhile, if you have any questions or concerns about your own heart or circulatory health and would like to talk to a cardiac nurse on the BHF’s free Heart Helpline, go to our website at bhf.org.uk/hearthelpline where you'll find all the contact options. Also, if you’d like to share your own heart story, or have thoughts on this episode, do email us at, [email protected].

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.