BHF and heart failure

The British Heart foundation was founded in 1961 by a group of medical professionals, who were concerned about the increasing death rate from cardiovascular disease. They wanted to fund extra research into the causes, diagnosis, treatment and prevention of heart and circulatory disease.

It is a major funder and authority in cardiovascular research, education and care, and relies predominantly on voluntary donations to meet its aims. In order to increase income and maximise the impact of its work, it also works with other organisations to combat premature death and disability from cardiovascular disease.

The British Heart Foundation focuses on five areas of cardiovascular health:

1) Research - BHF will continue to pioneer research into the causes of heart disease and improved methods of prevention, diagnosis and treatment.
2) Information - BHF will provide vital information to help people reduce their own heart health risk.
3) Campaigning - BHF will get government to establish policies that minimise the risk of developing heart and circulatory disease
4) Care - BHF will help attain the highest possible standards of care and support for patients.
5) Equality - BHF will reduce inequalities in the levels of heart disease across the UK

In 2013 The British Heart Foundation had an income of just over £133m. In 2013 the BHF spent their income on Research (61%), care and prevention (20%).

Facts and figures

1) There are over 950 BHF Healthcare Professionals caring for patients across the UK.
2) Over 3,500 Heartstart UK schemes to educate people what to do in various emergency situations (not just cardiac emergencies).
3) More than 3.2 million people have been trained by Heartstart UK in schools (for example via the Saving Londoners' Lives project) and the community.
4) In 2013, the British Heart Foundation had a gross income of over £133m.
5) Every year 1 in every 145 babies are born in the UK with a congenital heart defect.


I suffered from heart failure a condition caused by the heart failing to pump enough blood around the body at the right pressure.
It usually occurs because the heart muscle has become too weak or stiff to work properly.

Their website is a mine of information, their research along with many other organisations helped save my life.

See here for NHS choices definition of heart failure.

In the UK the two main centres of NHS excellence for heart related matters are Brompton and Papworth.