Hearty Lives NewhamAsian Ladies Dancing

Newham currently has the second highest cardiovascular disease mortality rate in London. Men living in Newham are nearly twice as likely to die early from heart disease than the London average, and the risk is even higher for women.

Working in partnership with NHS East London and the City and London Borough Newham, we’re investing £1.5 million in improving the heart health of the local Newham community.

Our aim

To help make a difference to the lives of people in Newham with heart disease, and their carers, through funding of three specialist nurses and heart health activities.

Asha Sirju and Marites Montemayor are cardiac specialist nurses who help people at high risk of heart disease to improve their lifestyles. Edith Aktar is a community cardiac liaison nurse. She provides support to heart patients and their families at home, helping them to recover and return to healthier lifestyles. Our programme will provide:

  • help for the Eastern European community and others to stop smoking
  • a cardiac nurse to help heart patients in their homes
  • two nurse educators to teach local people more about heart health
  • training for school children in emergency life saving skills
  • heart health checks in community venues
  • free fitness and health programmes for young men, in partnership with West Ham United Football Club

By providing central and field-based support at all stages of the project we will work together to support the redesign of services delivered to those with heart disease, by tackling inequalities which may prevent people in Newham from improving their health.

More info

For more information about Hearty Lives Newham, please contact Area Development Manager Diane Card on cardd@bhf.org.uk