Research
Politicians in Northern Ireland and Scotland share impact of living with cardiovascular disease
Keep Us Beating, our new campaign to highlight the shocking fact that every three minutes someone in the UK dies from cardiovascular disease, has been reinforced by an extended campaign in the devolved nations.
For the first time, BHF in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland is amplifying a UK campaign which will feature local well-known faces sharing their own heart health messages.
Using the now iconic BHF red bench, each nation will highlight survival stories in a locally targeted advertising campaign.
Politicians in Northern Ireland and Scotland are the first to kick-off the nation’s messages. The campaign in Wales is due to begin later in March.
In Northern Ireland, politicians from two different parties sat on our red bench together to share a positive message about the power of research.
Deborah and Philip’s stories
Politicians Deborah Erskine and Philip McGuigan share their heart stories
Within the first week of her life, Olivia had a cardioversion, which involves the use of a defibrillator to bring her heart rate back to a normal level. It took 13 attempts and Olivia was diagnosed with supraventricular tachycardia (SVT).
Sinn Féin MLA Philip McGuigan, also told how he was diagnosed with AF (atrial fibrillation), and survived a cardiac arrest during a routine procedure at the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast.
Philip said: “There’s a clear need for continued research to support improvements in treatment of cardiovascular disease.”
Our head in Northern Ireland, Fearghal McKinney, said: “Deborah and Philip’s stories show the true reality of living with cardiovascular disease, and we are so grateful that they have courageously shared their experience to help others.
“By sharing the stories of people who live with cardiovascular disease on our iconic red benches in Northern Ireland, we hope to start more conversations that change dangerous misconceptions. Research will help us save and improve more lives, but the only way we can fund the scientific breakthroughs of tomorrow is thanks to the public’s generous donations.”
Sue and Jimmy’s stories
Politician Sue Webber and dad Jimmy share their heart stories
What we doIn Scotland, Sue Webber, MSP for Lothian Region, joined her father Jimmy, a retired police officer, on our red bench to share their own heart stories.
Sue was referred to the BHF-funded SCOT-Heart trial after an annual GP checkup in 2024 indicated she was at risk of heart disease.
Then, just before Christmas last year, Jimmy became unwell and a Troponin blood test – another BHF-funded breakthrough - indicated heart damage, and he was also diagnosed with atrial fibrillation.
Our head in Scotland, David McColgan, said: “We are so grateful to Sue and Jimmy Webber for sharing their personal stories about their own heart health. Their story is testament to the power of BHF's lifesaving research and the difference it makes to the people of Scotland.
“We are all too familiar with stories of loss, families bereaved and loved ones mourned but through funding lifesaving research, like the SCOT-Heart Trial at the University of Edinburgh, the BHF are making stories like Sue and Jimmy's more common, ensuring families have more time together.”