THE HIDDEN HEART
Presented by Louise Minchin
Presented by Louise Minchin
Welcome to ‘The Hidden Heart‘, a programme produced in partnership with British Heart Foundation. Heart and circulatory diseases affect over 7.6 million people in the UK and are responsible for 1 in 4 of all deaths. In this programme we will look at the research, and commercial innovations, that are tackling these diseases and conditions, improving patient outcomes, and offering hope for the future.
Programme presenter Louise Minchin in conversation with Dr Charmaine Griffiths, Chief Executive, British Heart Foundation, about how BHF-funded research is making use of cutting-edge technology, and about the importance of raising awareness of hidden heart conditions.
Approved by BHF
Louise Minchin sits down with Dr Loreena Hill, a senior lecturer at the School of Nursing and Midwifery, Queens University in Belfast, and Alan Owen, who survived a cardiac arrest. They discuss why Dr Hill's BHF-funded research is so important for people like Alan living with an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD).
Approved by BHF
Aortic stenosis is when the aortic valve cannot open fully, leading to an interference with the normal blood flow out of the heart. Without treatment, severe aortic stenosis can cause heart failure and may eventually be fatal. Edward Lifesciences offers a solution through valves that are used in transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI), a minimally invasive procedure allowing efficient treatment and fast recovery.
Up to 45% of all heart attacks are silent, meaning the classic symptoms such as chest pain or difficulty with breathing are not present. Fourth Frontier has developed Frontier X2, a wearable monitoring device that offers continuous, detailed, real-time feedback into your heart's performance, including heart rate and respiratory data. Fourth Frontier Co-Founder Manav Bhushan and world-class champion runner Paula Radcliffe discuss this game-changing technology.
Pulmonary Embolism occurs when a blood clot blocks a blood vessel in the lungs. If not treated quickly, it can lead to heart failure. Inari Medical has designed a lifesaving device that is able to safely and effectively remove blood clots from pulmonary arteries, giving patients another chance at life.
People needing heart surgery, including valve replacement or bypass grafts, may need a cardiopulmonary bypass machine, also known as perfusion systems. Operated by skilled perfusionists, these machines temporarily take over the function of the heart and lungs, while surgery happens on non-beating hearts. Global medical device company LivaNova have worked with the perfusion community to develop an integrated, next-generation perfusion system that supports perfusionists in tailoring care to the needs of each patient.
Heart attacks that strike without warning are just one of the many cruelties of cardiovascular disease. Healthcare solutions supplier Mindray believes that every life is valuable, and they are responding to the needs of the medical community by developing and sharing innovative technology that will help every heart.
By being more physically active, we can reduce our risk of heart and circulatory diseases by up to 35%. PureGym are working in partnership with British Heart Foundation to inspire people to improve their heart health, including launching the free Healthy Hearts Programme on the PureGym app.
Refractory angina is a painful and debilitating chronic condition that has a severe impact on a person's life. Shockwave Medical have developed an innovative device called the Reducer that is placed in a vessel outside the heart through a short procedure and has the potential to help improve quality of life for millions globally suffering with the condition.
To discover heart conditions, cardiologists need to use machines such as MRI scanners, which can be expensive and not always available in every UK hospital. Ventripoint has developed an echocardiography technology that is affordable and mobile, ensuring patients get optimal treatment much quicker than conventional protocols.
Each day in the UK around 13 babies are diagnosed with congenital heart disease. British Heart Foundation is funding groundbreaking research at the Evelina Children’s Hospital in London, where Professor John Simpson and his team are using cutting edge virtual reality technology to help repair tiny hearts.
Approved by BHF
Every five minutes in the UK, someone is admitted to hospital with a heart attack, and for many it is a life-changing event. British Heart Foundation is funding research that uses AI to identify those most at risk in order to help predict heart attacks before they happen. We met with Professor Charalambos Antoniades in Oxford to learn more about this pioneering approach.
Approved by BHF
Thanks to our association partner
It is only with donations from the public that the BHF can keep its lifesaving research going. Help us turn science fiction into reality. 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. A world where broken hearts are mended, where millions more people survive a heart attack, where the number of people dying from or disabled by a stroke is slashed in half. A world where people affected by heart and circulatory diseases get the support they need. And a world of cures and treatments we can’t even imagine today.
Each film included in this programme has been approved and complied by the organisation associated with that content as identified in the descriptions above.
You could help beat hidden heart conditions for good. Donate to British Heart Foundation today to help them fund more lifesaving research. Thank you.
Presented by
Louise is a well-known and respected broadcaster and journalist who presented BBC Breakfast for 20 years. She presents the BBC’s Triathlon coverage and has also guest presented 'The One Show' as well as a number of other national TV programmes. Louise is also the host of the top-rated podcast, 'Push Your Peak'.
