Pacemakers are designed to regulate the heartbeat, but how much do you know about how they work? We take a look at the extraordinary technology involved.
Our expert explains eye stroke and what it means for your sight and your overall health.
All you need to know about a heart attack including the causes, symptoms and effects.
Senior Cardiac Nurse Emily McGrath explains what a normal pulse rate should be and why it's important to check yours.
Our expert answers a question on whether a bra should be worn after surgery.
Our Senior Dietitian talks about whether we should be drinking red wine for its heart health benefits.
Find out why waist measurement matters, and how to measure yours.
Find what MRI scans of the brain are used for, what’s involved, and what it will tell your doctor.
A few simple steps can help you keep the cold out this winter. Follow our 8 top tips for staying warm and safe.
People with cardiovascular disease may be prescribed a low dose of aspirin to help prevent blood clots. Watch our animation on how aspirin works, possible side effects and answers to common questions.
It’s time to help protect yourself with a flu jab. Experts tell us who should get it and why the jab is so important.
Warfarin is the most widely prescribed anticoagulant (a drug which reduces the risk of blood clots forming) in the UK. Find out why you might take it, possible side effects, and what you need to know if you take warfarin.
Cold temperatures can put your health at risk. We explain how to stay safe when the mercury drops.
Have you been prescribed ACE inhibitors? Read what they are what they do, how they work, their possible side effects and more.
For over 50 years, warfarin has been the drug of choice in preventing AF-related strokes, but a new type of anticoagulant offers more options. Doireann Maddock finds out more from Dr Matt Wright.
Wayne Eaton was diagnosed with dementia at the age of 59. Learn how dementia affects him and find out what vascular dementia is and how you can manage the condition.
Mental ability tests can be used if you’re struggling with your memory or thinking skills, and are part of the process for diagnosing dementia. Senior Cardiac Nurse Emily McGrath hears from Professor Lisa Cipolotti.
Senior Cardiac Nurse Emily McGrath answers a question on heart palpitations and whether they affect your ability to exercise.
Medical jargon can sometimes be a barrier to understanding health conditions. Dr Rick Karsan explains some of the confusing terms that you might hear from your doctor.
Our expert answers a question from a reader concerned that statins could be impacting their sleep.
Our expert answers a reader question about the causes and treatments of low blood pressure, and the BHF-research that could help control it.
Wayne Eaton, who was diagnosed with dementia in 2014, shares his five top tips for living well when you have vascular dementia.
Our expert discusses whether it's possible to reverse diabetes, and the steps you can take to slow down its progression.
Our expert explains more about amyloidosis, a condition which can affect different organs of your body, including your heart, and can be serious.
A CT scan can be used to diagnose a stroke and other brain problems, as Professor Joanna Wardlaw explains to Senior Cardiac Nurse Emily McGrath.
Watch our animation to discover why brushing your teeth can help your cardiovascular system, and get answers to some common questions about oral health and heart conditions.
Heart disease is connected with many other illnesses. Discover how one condition can lead to another, and hear Barrie’s story of stroke and atrial fibrillation.
Our expert explains how staying active before surgery could help improve outcomes, and talks through the options for pre-surgery activity.
In 1948, the NHS treated its first patients. We look at how far it has come and the challenges that lie ahead, and get the views of a regulator, a hospital chief executive and a patient.
An expert answers a question from a patient who has been fitted with a pacemaker after years of regular fainting.
A Doppler test is a quick and painless way to detect blood flow. Professor Charles McCollum tells Senior Cardiac Nurse Emily McGrath more about Doppler tests.
David Randles shares his story of living with peripheral arterial disease, and how his condition led to leg amputation.
Our expert responds to a reader with a heart valve problem, concerned about antibiotics and dental treatment.
Heather West, Adult Congenital Heart Disease Specialist Nurse at Guy’s and St Thomas’ Hospital in London, talks to our Senior Cardiac Nurse Emily McGrath about the support that is available for adults with congenital heart disease.
Since it's birth in 1948, the National Health Service has touched and even transformed the lives of every one of us. Our interactive timeline looks at the major milestones in the over the last 70 years and the role the BHF has played.
Darrel Francis, Professor of Cardiology at Imperial College London, answers a question about whether CRT pacemakers can help heart failure patients.
Our expert answers a question about the risk of interference between a pacemaker and appliances that contain magnets, such as induction hobs.
Our 360 degree video shows what it’s really like to be inside a catheter lab having an angiogram or angioplasty procedure.
Congenital heart disease and inherited heart disease are both conditions you are born with, but they can be very different. Our animation explains how, and highlights the most common congenital and inherited conditions.
Menopause happens to every woman, but did you know it can affect your heart? GP and menopause expert Dr Louise Newson explains the problem and how HRT (hormone replacement therapy) could help.
If you have heart failure, there's a lot you can do to help manage your condition and help stop it from getting worse. Professor Darrel Francis, Professor of Cardiology at Imperial College London, explains.
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is increasingly used to diagnose and give information on heart conditions. Professor John Greenwood tells Senior Cardiac Nurse Emily McGrath what a cardiac MRI scan involves.
Peripheral arterial disease can affect the same people as heart attacks and strokes, and the worst cases can be life-threatening. Senior Cardiac Nurse Emily McGrath speaks to an expert about PAD.
Almost one in 100 babies in the UK are born with congenital heart disease, but what happens to them later in life? Our Senior Cardiac Nurse Emily McGrath hears Katie Miller’s experience of living with congenital heart disease as an adult.
Our expert answer a question about the follow-up care you should receive from your GP if you have had a heart attack.
May 3rd 2018 marks 50 years since the first human heart transplant in the UK. But how much do you know about the history of transplant surgery? Take our quick quiz and test your knowledge.
In this video you can get to know the team who work in a catheter lab and look around. Plus, read all about the procedure.
An exercise expert answers a question about fitness tracker devices, and whether wearing one can help to improve your health.
Statins reduce your cholesterol levels and lower your risk of heart attack and stroke. They’re one of the best-researched drugs, but also one of the most controversial. Watch our animation all about statins, and see if you can tell statin fact from fiction.
Our short animation explains all about angina - learn what causes it, the differences between types of angina, and the best ways to manage your angina.
Alice Riley was prescribed hormone replacement therapy (HRT) to help protect her heart from the risks of early menopause. She describes the impact of HRT on her life.
Heart Matters reader Jeff Lane shares his diary of heart bypass surgery and cardiac rehabilitation, to let others know what to expect.
Fifty years ago, the first human heart transplant was carried out, and the first UK heart transplant followed a few months later. BHF-funded research helped to pave the way for this – explore our interactive timeline to see how we’re still helping to save lives.
Will that pain wear off, or is it time to see your doctor or even call an ambulance? BHF Professor David Newby highlights the symptoms that you need to take seriously.
An exercise stress test (also called exercise ECG) is often used to diagnose coronary heart disease. BHF Professor Ajay Shah tells our Senior Cardiac Nurse Emily McGrath more about how it works and what it involves.
Associate Medical Director Dr Mike Knapton tells Senior Cardiac Nurse Emily McGrath why it's important to get your blood pressure checked
New BHF-funded research has revealed what makes a difference the quality of life of children with congenital heart defects. We speak to the researcher involved.
BHF Professor Sven Plein explains what cardiac tumours are, and tells Senior Cardiac Nurse Emily McGrath why spotting them early is important.
Bob Ruane, from Cheshire, received a life saving heart transplant at the age of 56, after the heart failure he'd had for 15 years worsened. He tells us his story.
Dr Louise Newson explains how premature ovarian insufficiency (POI), also known as early menopause, can affect your heart.
Do you know the difference between heart attack and cardiac arrest? Watch our animation and find out what to do in these emergencies.
A angiogram is a common test for people with possible heart symptoms. Professor Julian Gunn explains the different types of angiogram to Senior Cardiac Nurse Emily Reeve.
Gilbert Wheeler, 59, received a heart transplant in 2016, 25 years after first being diagnosed with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. He shares his story.
Our expert explains what microvascular angina is, and discusses the latest research that's aiming to improve diagnosis and treatment.
Our Associate Medical Director Dr Mike Knapton tells Senior Cardiac Nurse Emily Reeve why it can be important to have your blood sugar checked.
Inheriting a heart condition raises many questions, but support is available. Senior Cardiac Nurse Emily Reeve speaks to Lucy White about the care she's received.
We meet Julie McNicholas, who was diagnosed with a cardiac tumour in 2010 and now wants to raise awareness of the condition.
Our expert explains how to manage in hot weather if you've been told to limit your fluids for heart failure.
Our expert answers a question about the risk of Mycobacterium chimaera infection after surgery, and explains what to do if you're concerned.
This infection of the heart’s inner lining is rare, but some people with heart conditions are at higher risk. Professor Jonathan Sandoe explains more about the condition.
Our expert explains what to do if you have deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Our short animation has more about the condition and the BHF researchers looking for a cure.
Knowing your real size is important. BHF Associate Medical Director Dr Mike Knapton tells Senior Cardiac Nurse Emily Reeve why.
Our medical expert answers a question about migraine with aura and the associated stroke risk.
Our expert answers a question about the differences between branded and unbranded medications.
Our expert answers a question from the parent of a child born with pulmonary atresia and explains what the condition is.
An electrocardiogram, or ECG, looks at your heart’s rate, rhythm and electrical activity. Professor Peter Macfarlane explain what this simple test involves.
Learn why it's important to have your cholesterol tested, what you'll learn from the cholesterol test and what you can do about it.
Takotsubo cardiomyopathy is a little-known condition where your heart muscle becomes suddenly weakened - it's sometimes called broken heart syndrome. Our expert explains the causes, diagnosis and treatment.
An echocardiogram provides ultrasound images of your heart. Dr Rajan Sharma explains this common test to our Senior Cardiac Nurse Emily Reeve
Our medical expert explains whether it's alright to drink wine whilst taking the anticoagulant drug warfarin for your heart.
ARBs treat heart failure and high blood pressure and may be prescribed following a heart attack. Read what they are, how they work, their possible side effects and more.
Our medical expert explains PoTS - postural tachycardia syndrome - a condition that causes an increase in your heart rate after sitting or standing.
You’re entitled to pick your NHS care, but how do you do it, and how can it benefit you as a heart patient? We explain.
Chief Inspector of Hospitals Sir Mike Richards gives four top tips on how to choose the right hospital for you.
Professor Nishi Chaturvedi explains how your ethnic origin can affect your heart and circulatory health.
Our expert explains what to do about depression, and how this condition can be common in people with heart disease.
Bettina tells us her story about her fight against heart disease
We debunk the seven most common and persistent myths around heart disease. How many do you know?
Dr Neil Chapman explains high blood pressure, how it can be prevented and managed, and updates us on how the BHF is tackling it.
Angina is an important warning sign, because coronary heart disease can lead to a heart attack. Making changes to your lifestyle can help prevent your angina from getting worse and could just save your life.
Our expert explains what right ventricular failure means, what symptoms this can cause and how this condition can affect heart health.
How can you live well with multiple long-term health conditions? We speak to someone who has multiple conditions, and to health professionals about how integrated care could help.
Heart Matters reader Catherine Mackay shares her diary and illustrations of heart valve surgery, to let others know what to expect.
There are lots of myths surrounding heart failure. Learn to tell fact from fiction and what you can do to control the condition.
Having a South Asian ethnic origin can increase your risk of heart and circulatory disease and diabetes. Consultant cardiologist Sandy Gupta explains why.
An increasing number of people in the UK live with more than one long-term condition. We explain eight ways to make your life easier if you have multiple conditions.
Our expert answers a question on whether you can scuba dive when you have high blood pressure.
Our expert answers a question on why a heart failure patient would be prescribed potassium.
High blood pressure is a major cause of heart attack and stroke, but most of us don’t even know the facts. Senior cardiac nurse Julie Ward explains.
When you’ve just been told you have a heart condition, it can be a confusing time. Here’s our quick guide to asking the right questions, to get the answers that you need.
Consultant Vascular Surgeon Rachel Bell explains abdominal and thoracic aortic aneurysms, what causes them and how to get screened.
We meet Max Leslie, who survived a life-threatening aortic aneurysm rupture, and hear how his life has changed since then.
Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) suppress stomach acid and are often prescribed to heart patients. We hear why from Professor Pali Hungin.
Our expert explains what Sneddon syndrome is, symptoms, treatment, and whether this can cause a stroke.
Our medical expert explains what troponin is and how can help determine the symptoms of a heart attack in women.
Ever heard of Prinzmetal angina, Takotsubo cardiomyopathy, or even Kawasaki syndrome? Rick Karsan explains these conditions and how they got their names.
Too much alcohol can raise blood pressure and weight, increasing risk of a heart attack, stroke and type 2 diabetes. We find out more from an expert.
Insulin can help people with diabetes manage blood sugar levels and avoid other issues. Consultant physician Dr Amanda Adler explains how it works and how to take it.
Our medical expert explains when you should take breathlessness seriously and get it checked out.
We speak to an expert about women's risk of heart disease, and meet Anne Beaton, who didn't realise she was having a heart attack.
We explore issues of pregnancy and your heart, and meet two women who fought back from health issues.
Our medical expert explains the differences between atrial flutter and atrial fibrillation.
Microvascular angina (sometimes called cardiac syndrome X) results from an abnormality of the tiny arteries within the heart muscle that play a crucial role in regulating blood supply to the heart.
You can do plenty to reduce your chances of heart attack or stroke, whether you have coronary heart disease or been told you’re at risk. We explain.
It’s hard to read or watch the news without hearing of new things that could, apparently, cause heart disease. But can you believe what you read? Martina Dalton gives the lowdown on 10 of the most bizarre.
We take medicines every day – but do you think about where they come from? Most modern drugs are created in the lab – but some have unusual or downright bizarre origins.
Derived from the purple foxglove plant, Digoxin was first used to treat heart complaints 200 years ago. Dr Ross McGeoch tells us about modern uses for the drug.
Our expert explains why you might have been given your cholesterol measurements in a different way.
Dr Amanda Adler explains oral medications that can control your blood glucose levels, which is critical to managing type 2 diabetes.
Tasks we take for granted, such as making tea, become a major challenge when you have vascular dementia. Learn what vascular dementia is and what it's like to live with.
Our medical expert debunks the 'cough CPR' myth which claims you can help yourself by coughing vigorously if you’re having a heart attack.
The Drug Cabinet section of Heart Matters contains guides to all the common types of heart medications, with answers to frequently asked questions.
Our expert cardiologist, GP and cardiac nurses answer your questions about all aspects of heart conditions, tests and treatments.
Get our quick guide to treatments for coronary heart disease like angioplasty and bypass surgery, what they involve and how long they last.
Get our quick guide to pacemakers, ICDs, and ablations, which are used to treat heart rhythm problems. Find out what the treatments involve and how long they last.
Get our quick guide to why you might have heart valve replacement, what it involves and how long it will last.
Antibiotics save lives, but resistance to them is increasing. Dr Nicholas Brown, Consultant Medical Microbiologist at Addenbrooke’s Hospital, Cambridge, tells us when you need them and when you don’t.
Senior Cardiac Nurse Christopher Allen looks at the challenges of living with heart failure, tips on managing it and how the BHF supports those who have the condition.
Painkillers are some of the most commonly used drugs. We explain what these medicines, including paracetamol, ibuprofen, aspirin, morphine and codeine, are used for and possible side effects.
If you feel your heart beating abnormally, you may need a catheter ablation. Dr Guy Haywood, Consultant Cardiologist in Plymouth, answers all your questions.
Our Senior Cardiac Nurse Julie Ward talks to Dr Neil Chapman about high blood pressure and updates us on how the BHF is tackling it.
Puzzled by the difference between a radiographer and a radiologist, or wondering who you’re likely to meet when you go into hospital? We introduce a guide to who does what and how to make the most of them.
When you see your doctor, cardiologist or other healthcare professional, it’s not always easy to know what to ask. Here’s our quick guide so you can be prepared for your appointment.
Heart bypass surgery can help relieve the symptoms of angina and improve quality of life. We talk to Professor Gavin Murphy about what’s involved.
Finding out he had dilated cardiomyopathy prompted Simon Morgan to live life to the full. We hear his story and get an expert’s view on the condition.
