Rebecca met with the British Heart Foundation (BHF) earlier this week as part of the Conservative Party Conference to discuss their vital research into heart diseases, stroke and vascular dementia, and their risk factors like diabetes.
Their research has saved lives since their founding in 1961. For example, 30 million people around the globe are currently living with a deadly inherited heart muscle defect. Now, thanks to the British Heart biggest ever research grant, a team of world experts are aiming to deliver a cure.
This would not be possible without government investment to pay for the indirect costs of research, such as lighting, electricity and heating for laboratories. Without government support, the BHF’s ability to fund world class research to prevent and treat cardiovascular disease (CVD) would be significantly reduced.
Nearly 1 in 5 patients in Castle Point have been diagnosed with high blood pressure, which can in some cases lead to heart disease, unfortunately, there may be many more who don’t know that they have this often symptomless “silent killer”. The British Heart Foundation encourages all to keep track of their blood pressure to catch Heart disease early.
With donations from the public, the BHF funds ground-breaking research that will get us closer than ever to a world free from the fear of heart and circulatory diseases. For any more information on the BHF, please visit: www.bhf.org.uk.
Rebecca said: ‘I was proud to go along and support the British Heart Foundation earlier this week. They carry out world class research into heart disease both in the UK and across the.’
The Government is investing £2.3 billion to establish Community Diagnostic Centres which will help to improve access to heart scans and reduce waiting lists for cardiac services. Prevention and early detection of cardiovascular disease is vital and the NHS Health Check programme continues to facilitate this. The Department of Health and Social Care is also working with NHS England to improve the detection, monitoring and treatment of atrial fibrillation, high blood pressure and high cholesterol.
