In 2013, Graham got the phone call that is every parent’s worst nightmare. Just months after watching his beautiful daughter Claire get married, she’d passed away suddenly from an undiagnosed heart condition. She was just 22. On this episode, Ruth Huntman from the BHF talks with Graham about the shocking impact of his daughter’s death on his family, his mission to help prevent others facing the same heartbreak and keeping a promise to Claire that her death wouldn’t be in vain. You can find out m...
Dec 09, 2022•31 min•Season 1Ep. 62
In June 2016 Corey Johnson married the love of his life, Alice, in a beautiful ceremony in Italy. One week later, back home in England, Corey was playing ice hockey in south London when he suffered a sudden cardiac arrest. On this episode, Bill Snaddon from the BHF talks with Corey, who recalls the moment he almost died on the ice rink and the tough road to recovery in the years that have followed. As Corey says, "I've had to learn how to live again". More on Brudaga syndrome, the inherited hear...
Oct 14, 2022•53 min•Season 1Ep. 61
Welcome to episode four of The Race is On, our special series to celebrate the BHF being the TCS London Marathon 2022 Charity Partner. Hosted by Aimee Fuller, two-time Olympian, author and broadcaster, this series will feature interviews with a whole host of guests who are key to the success of this partnership. In this episode, Aimee chats to the man, the myth, the legend, Derrick Evans MBE, more commonly known as Mr Motivator! Derrick reveals his tips for staying focused and inspired as race d...
Sep 08, 2022•39 min•Season 1Ep. 60
Welcome to episode three of The Race is On, our special series to celebrate the BHF being the TCS London Marathon 2022 Charity Partner. Hosted by Aimee Fuller, two-time Olympian, author and broadcaster, this series will feature interviews with a whole host of guests who are key to the success of this partnership. In this episode, Aimee chats to two incredible people running as a part of team BHF; Maria Keen and Professor Sanjay Sinha. Maria reveals the very personal reason she is running to rais...
Sep 08, 2022•35 min•Season 1Ep. 59
Welcome to episode two of The Race is On, our special series to celebrate the BHF being the TCS London Marathon 2022 Charity Partner. Hosted by Aimee Fuller, two-time Olympian, author and broadcaster, this series will feature interviews with a whole host of guests who are key to the success of this partnership. In this episode, Aimee chats to two of our Team BHF Support Squad, Professor Greg Whyte OBE and the BHF’s very own dietician, Tracy Parker. Greg brings his wealth of experience and knowle...
Sep 08, 2022•51 min•Season 1Ep. 58
Welcome to episode one of The Race is On, our special series to celebrate the BHF being the TCS London Marathon 2022 Charity Partner. Hosted by Aimee Fuller, two-time Olympian, author and broadcaster, this series will feature interviews with a whole host of guests who are key to the success of this partnership. In this episode, Aimee speaks to London Marathon Event Director, Hugh Brasher and BHF’s Senior Product Delivery Manager, Kate Sparks. Aimee gets the low down on how the London Marathon be...
Sep 08, 2022•38 min•Season 1Ep. 57
At the age of 38 Lisa suffered two heart attacks. Her life was now on a very different trajectory to the one she had in mind. Two years after her heart attacks, now living with heart failure, Lisa would need a major operation to repair a leaky valve. On this episode, Bill Snaddon from the BHF talks with Lisa, who offers a raw and honest account of her recovery – and how she’s crafted a new life for herself, making sure she manages her condition and not the other way round. More from the BHF on h...
Aug 26, 2022•44 min•Season 1Ep. 56
Max’s life changed forever when he lost his father Chris to cardiomyopathy – inherited heart muscle disease – at the age of just 13. Then Max went on to be diagnosed with the same condition himself at 17. On this episode, Sarah Marsh from the BHF talks with Max about learning to live with the loss of his dad, how he’s come to terms with his own complex heart health journey and the life-changing BHF research that could prove to be a game-changer for people living with genetic cardiomyopathies, an...
Aug 22, 2022•41 min•Season 1Ep. 55
Mya's life was changed forever when she discovered she had a heart condition at just 18. On this episode, Molly Tresadern from the BHF talks with her about what it's like as a teenager with a heart condition, and how Mya has stayed positive in the face of her diagnosis. Mya's condition, ARVC (Arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy) is also referred to as ACM (Arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy). The term ARVC was used more commonly in the past and is still in usage, however research has show...
Aug 08, 2022•30 min•Season 1Ep. 54
Anne Dixon first discovered she had a problem with her heart when she was a student. After an operation, she went back to her normal life, but there was more in store for her in the future. In this episode, Molly Tresadern from the BHF talks to Anne about how she struggled to get a proper diagnosis, how she now lives with heart failure, and how she became involved in clinical trials to help develop new treatments for others living with heart conditions. You can find out more about the BHF's clin...
May 20, 2022•41 min•Season 1Ep. 53
One in four adults in the UK live with high blood pressure. And about five million adults are living with undiagnosed high blood pressure. But what is high blood pressure and how can it affect your health? And what can be done to bring it under control? In this short bonus episode, Ticker Tapes host Bill Snaddon talks with BHF cardiac nurse Sindy Jodar on all things blood pressure. More on high blood pressure on the BHF website: https://www.bhf.org.uk/informationsupport/risk-factors/high-blood-p...
May 13, 2022•6 min
Bettina is a doting grandma of five from Nottingham. She has transformed her battle against high blood pressure into an opportunity for healthier living – for herself and her community. On this episode, Bill Snaddon from the BHF talks with Bettina about a day that is etched in her memory. A traumatic day that set in train her diagnosis of high blood pressure. Bettina goes on to talk about the changes she would make to remain healthy and, most importantly, able to spend many more years enjoying t...
May 12, 2022•46 min•Season 1Ep. 52
Joe Baxter's life was changed in an instant when he suffered a sudden cardiac arrest - aged just 24. He woke up in hospital weeks later to discover he had an inherited heart condition, arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC). In this episode, Molly Tresadern from the BHF talks to Joe about his physical and mental recovery, and how he manages living with his heart condition today. If you've got any questions or concerns about your heart or circulatory health and want to talk with a...
Apr 28, 2022•47 min•Season 1Ep. 51
Toby was just 22, at the peak of his life and hoping for a career in the Royal Marines when his life was cut suddenly and cruelly short. In this episode, Ruth Huntman from the BHF talks to Toby’s mum Sam about confronting every mother’s worst nightmare, her fight to find some answers and how her commitment to raising awareness of Sudden Arrhythmic Death Syndrome (SADS) is Toby’s legacy. More on SADS: Sudden arrhythmic death syndrome | British Heart Foundation (bhf.org.uk) Watch Sam’s documentary...
Apr 22, 2022•49 min•Season 1Ep. 50
Jason Doyle was living a full-on life: working long hours on a trading floor, spending time with his family, and fitting in tennis and triathlons. Everything changed when he discovered that he had a bicuspid valve and would need open heart surgery to replace it. In this episode, Molly Tresadern from the BHF talks to Jason about how he went about preparing for his major surgery, how he managed difficult conversations, and what he now has in common with Arnold Schwarzenegger. If you've got any que...
Mar 25, 2022•42 min•Season 1Ep. 49
Musician and DJ Rehana suffered a cardiac arrest out of the blue in her 20’s while exercising but survived thanks to the quick actions of strangers. On this episode Rehana, now 31, talks to me about life after her cardiac arrest, living with an ICD, and how her experience has changed her outlook on life in positive ways. More information about sudden cardiac arrest www.bhf.org.uk/informationsupport/conditions/cardiac-arrest Only 1 in 10 people in the UK survive an out of hospital cardiac arrest....
Mar 21, 2022•29 min•Season 1Ep. 48
Dr Richard Issitt is a BHF researcher and senior paediatric perfusionist at Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children in London. On this episode, he talks to Leanne Grech from the BHF about his personal connection to paediatrics, the discoveries he has made in his research, and how his job saves thousands of lives every year. If you’ve got any questions about your heart or circulatory health, please call the BHF’s heart helpline to speak with a nurse, between 9-5 on Monday to Fridays, on 0300 33...
Mar 11, 2022•26 min•Season 1Ep. 47
Zena Forster's life life was upended at age 60 when out of the blue she suffered a stroke. A year later, in the middle of the night, a traumatic heart attack would add to Zena’s troubles. On this episode, Bill Snaddon from the BHF hears her story of living with cardiovascular disease – and how Zena's strength, purpose and humour brought her back from the abyss. More on strokes: https://www.bhf.org.uk/informationsupport/conditions/stroke More on heart attacks: https://www.bhf.org.uk/informationsu...
Feb 24, 2022•1 hr 5 min•Season 1Ep. 46
Kieran Sandwell was born with a congenital heart disease. By the time he was 38, he was living with heart failure and struggling to carry out everyday tasks. He was put on the waiting list for a heart transplant and finally received his new heart in 2009 - and along with it, a second chance at life. Before long, Kieran was running marathons, jumping out of planes and planning an epic 5,000 mile walk around the coast of Britain to raise money for the BHF. Tragically, since recording this podcast,...
Feb 18, 2022•50 min•Season 1Ep. 45
When Jack was studying at university a shocking revelation shook his world as he knew it. After his devoted mother told him that he had been conceived by sperm donor, Jack embarked on an emotional journey to trace his biological father with lifechanging consequences. On this episode Jack talks to Ruth Huntman from the BHF about what he discovered and how it impacted his life and health in ways he’d never have foreseen. As a charity, the British Heart Foundation depends on the generosity of donor...
Feb 04, 2022•52 min•Season 1Ep. 44
Aspiring performer Hannah was just 16 when her dreams of a career in musical theatre were shattered after she had a sudden cardiac arrest soon after starting at a prestigious theatre college. On this episode she talks to Ruth Huntman at the BHF about the physical and psychological road to recovery and finally realising her ambition to become a professional actress. As a charity, the British Heart Foundation depends on the generosity of donors to continue carrying out our lifesaving research. Tha...
Jan 28, 2022•56 min•Season 1Ep. 43
Metin Avkiran, Associate Medical Director for Research at the British Heart Foundation, has dedicated his career to understanding heart and circulatory conditions. He talks to Christie about his transition from research to senior leader at the BHF, his personal connection to heart disease, and what he feels the public should know about our cause. If you’ve got any questions about your heart or circulatory health, please call the BHF’s heart helpline to speak with a nurse, between 9-5 on Monday t...
Jan 07, 2022•43 min•Season 1Ep. 42
James Wilkinson was on holiday in Turkey when he realised something wasn’t right. On this episode, Bill Snaddon from the BHF talks with James about the diagnosis that threw his life into a spin - and how an anxious wait for heart surgery during the Covid pandemic led James to bypassing the NHS, opting instead to have his operation done privately. More on endocarditis: https://www.bhf.org.uk/informationsupport/conditions/endocarditis 'Hospital waiting lists for crucial heart care continue to rise...
Dec 16, 2021•29 min•Season 1Ep. 41
Becky Speers discovered she had a heart condition in a dramatic way - when she collapsed at the end of a 5k charity run. On this episode, Molly Tresadern from the British Heart Foundation talks with Becky about discovering she had an inherited heart condition, how she's come to appreciate the ICD that could help to save her life - and how it hasn't put her off running. Becky's Facebook support group for people living with ICDs and pacemakers can be found here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/154...
Dec 10, 2021•39 min•Season 1Ep. 40
Thanieth was diagnosed with a potentially life-threatening heart condition at age 14. She hasn't always found it easy to talk about her health. On this episode, Bill Snaddon from the British Heart Foundation talks with Thanieth about how she found the courage to talk more openly after the death of her mum and brother. Thanieth also speaks movingly on how she'll talk to her two kids if they are found to have Hypertrhopic cardiomyopathy, or HCM, the genetic condition that's caused great tragedy in...
Nov 25, 2021•28 min•Season 1Ep. 39
Rachel was in her 30s, fit and healthy, and working as a successful lawyer - and when she started to experience chest pains, heart disease was the last thing on her mind. In this episode, Rachel talks to Molly Tresadern from the BHF about how being a woman affected her journey to the correct diagnosis, and how her life has changed in the 17 years she's been living with heart disease. If you’ve got any questions about your heart or circulatory health, call the BHF’s heart helpline to speak with a...
Nov 19, 2021•33 min•Season 1Ep. 38
Vicky was born with a hole in her heart but had a pretty normal childhood until she suffered a collapsed mitral valve at 16 and needed open heart surgery. She was left with atrial fibrillation and after countless procedures she received the shock diagnosis of heart failure at just 38. She talks to Ruth Huntman from the BHF about how the lifechanging diagnosis has impacted her life and how BHF research gives her hope for the future . Over the years the BHF has funded research to help heart failur...
Nov 15, 2021•52 min•Season 1Ep. 37
Mark Kearney, BHF Professor of Diabetes and Cardiovascular Research at the University of Leeds, has dedicated his career to understanding diabetes and its connection to heart failure. He talks to Christie about his personal experience of heart disease, the discoveries he has made in his research and his hopes for people living with the two conditions. If you’ve got any questions about your heart or circulatory health, please call the BHF’s heart helpline to speak with a nurse, between 9-5 on Mon...
Nov 05, 2021•34 min•Season 1Ep. 36
Ella was born with a condition called Transposition of the Great Arteries (TGA), where the two main arteries leaving the heart are the wrong way round. She had heart surgery at just a few days old to 'switch' the arteries to their correct places. Now 19 and at university, she talks to Molly Tresadern from the BHF about what it's like to grow up with a heart condition, and the things she's learned along the way. If you’ve got any questions about your heart or circulatory health, call the BHF’s he...
Oct 29, 2021•27 min•Season 1Ep. 35
Harvinder's father passed away following a sudden cardiac arrest. In this episode, Harvinder talks about the importance of public access defibrillators, why it's vital that they are regularly checked, and why she's supporting the Circuit - the national defibrillator network. For more information on the Circuit, public defibrillators and CPR, you can visit the BHF website here . If you’ve got any questions about your heart or circulatory health, call the BHF’s heart helpline to speak with a nurse...
Oct 22, 2021•9 min•Season 1Ep. 34
