Campaigning and influencing in Wales

Some of the work we're doing in Wales

Empowering cardiovascular research and innovation in Wales: Together with Health and Care Research Wales, BHF Cymru have announced £3m in funding to support cardiovascular research in Wales. This means that Welsh researchers will be able to investigate key areas of unmet health and care needs in people with heart conditions such as arrhythmias (irregular heartbeat), heart disease and vascular ageing. Learn more about the five-year agreement.

We will continue to work closely with the National Cardiovascular Research Network to ensure cardiovascular disease research remains a priority for Welsh Government, delivering on the findings of a BHF-commissioned report that investment in medical research plays a pivotal role in the health of the nation and economy in Wales. Read more about the economic impact of charity funded medical research in Wales.

Closing the heart attack gender gap: Coronary heart disease kills over twice as many women as breast cancer in Wales, yet it’s still seen as a disease which only affects men. Our report highlights the inequalities women face in Wales and offers a range of recommendations to the government. Read more about the ‘Bias and Biology’ report.

Cross Party Group on Medical Research: As part of the Cross-Party group, we work to drive improvement in the medical research environment in Wales. In November 2023, the group published a report on how medical research benefits the people of Wales, particularly the Welsh economy. Learn more about the Cross Party Group on Medical Research.

Tackling High Blood Pressure: Wales' Silent Killer: Around 50% of heart attacks and strokes in Wales are associated with high blood pressure, but with rarely any symptoms, many refer to the condition as a silent killer. Read more about how high blood pressure is impacting heart health in Wales, and our recommendations for change.

Helping Wales make the healthiest choices: As co-chair of Obesity Alliance Cymru, we’re calling on the Welsh Government to prioritise health and reduce smoking, obesity, and alcohol consumption in Wales. We successfully influenced the Food (Promotion and Presenation) (Wales) Regulations 2025, which is a positive step toward making healthier choices easier. Read our NCD prevention report.

Boosting uptake of cardiac rehabilitation in Wales: BHF Cymru, in partnership with the Aneurin Bevan University Health Board, introduced information posters in cardiology wards in the Grange Hospital in Cwmbran to promote the benefits of cardiac rehab. Results showed that uptake increased from 47% in 2023, to 73% in 2024, with almost 200 more patients attending cardiac rehab. Because of the success of this pilot, the project is being rolled out across Wales and Northern Ireland.

Improving cardiology services in Wales: BHF Cymru set up the Wales Cardiac Public Panel in 2023, a group made up of people with lived experience of cardiovascular disease in Wales. Before the panel was formed, cardiology services in Wales had struggled to engage with patients and the public, but now, the group is a key part of improving services across the country.

Improving uptake of CPR training in schools: BHF Cymru successfully campaigned to include CPR in the Welsh curriculum to help improve survival rates for cardiac arrest in the future.

Supporting improvements in NHS care: We’ve worked with clinicians, patients and the public to create a new Heart and Circulatory Disease plan for Wales. The Welsh Government have included many of our recommendations in their Quality Statement for Heart Disease. Read the Heart and Circulatory Disease plan.

Campaigning for a cleaner and greener Wales: As members of Healthy Air Cymru, we’ve worked in partnership with other charities to support the 2020 Clean Air Plan for Wales: Healthy Air, Healthy Wales. We’ve also supported the Environment (Air Quality and Soundscapes) (Wales) Act 2025 and continue to work to ensure the regulations are enforced. Learn more about Healthy Air Cymru.