Survival heart stories from the red bench
The devolved nations’ Keep Us Beating campaign has continued with a further set of emotional films and stories about people living with heart conditions.
In the second wave of the campaign - released earlier this year – our now iconic BHF red bench went on the road to highlight amazing survival stories.
In Scotland and Northern Ireland, former well-known sports stars shared personal stories about their heart health.
Former Scottish rugby international and BBC presenter John Beattie spoke candidly about living with atrial fibrillation.
John Beattie shares his story
John, 68, recalls the day in 2019, when he was driving to work at the BBC in Glasgow and had to pull his car over: “I thought I was having a heart attack,” he said.
Thanking BHF researchers John, from Glasgow, added: “There is research going into making you better, so I don’t think we all need to live with this fear.”
"It can affect any person at any time in their life"
In Northern Ireland former Ireland and Ulster rugby prop forward Simon Best, partnered with BHF NI and urged people to learn how to look after their heart and be prepared in an emergency situation.
Simon, who was diagnosed with an abnormal heartbeat which forced early retirement from his professional rugby career in 2008, aged just 30, said: “I want to raise awareness that there is no ‘one size fits all’ for cardiovascular disease – it can affect any person at any time in their life, and its impact is often life-changing.”
Derry GAA All Star Kevin McCloy also shared his personal story. He suffered eight cardiac arrests after collapsing on the pitch in 2014 and in 2018, he was diagnosed with cardiac sarcoidosis. Kevin is thankful for the ongoing research work of BHF.
Kevin said: “With more funding for research into cardiovascular disease and increased awareness of its impact, I’m hopeful for the future that better treatments and quite possibly cures can be found.”
Simon Best and Kevin McCloy share their stories
Esme's heart story
In Wales, the Red Bench series continued with the story of Emily and her partner Mathew, from Hendy in Carmarthenshire.
Their daughter Esme, born on New Year's Day 2021, was diagnosed with Atrioventricular Septal Defect (AVSD) and had open heart surgery at Bristol Children’s Hospital when she was 6 months old.
Five years on, Esme doesn’t let her condition hold her back. She loves animals, riding her scooter, and has even been skiing!
