Cards, flowers, chocolates, gifts—it must be Valentine’s Day! On 14 February, many people mark the holiday by sharing gifts from the heart with their loved ones. Whether or not you participate in this annual celebration of love, you can carry forward the theme of giving from the heart—a healthy heart. This February, in honour of Heart Month, we share the importance of heart health and cardiovascular wellbeing and highlight several charities that are making a difference every day, not just on Valentine’s Day.
So, this month, as you gift flowers and chocolates to your loved ones, consider learning more about heart health and supporting one of these charities. We think everyone will love you for your heartfelt efforts!
Every Three Minutes: The Importance of Heart Health in the UK
As the British Heart Foundation says: Our hearts are precious. In the UK, heart and circulatory diseases cause a quarter of all deaths—one person dies from these conditions every three minutes. Coronary heart disease—buildup in the wall of the arteries that supply blood to the heart—is the most common type of heart disease and the single biggest killer of men and women worldwide.
Heart and cardiovascular disease affects people of all ages and abilities. Beyond the symptoms and outcomes of heart disease, living with a heart condition can also affect your mental health and overall well-being. Mental health conditions can increase the risk of heart disease, but research also shows that mental health disorders—like depression—can often develop after cardiac events.
Together, we can act to improve the lives and outcomes of everyone who experiences heart and circulatory conditions. We can educate ourselves. We can raise money for lifesaving research. We can participate in Heart Month campaigns. We can learn CPR and be prepared to respond in an emergency.
Show Them the Love: Charities Making a Difference
British Heart Foundation
The British Heart Foundation (BHF) envisions “a world without heartbreak”. The charity was launched in 1961 by a group of doctors who felt that too little research was being done to understand heart health. Since then, BHF has become a leading charity with a track record of funding transformative and life-saving research. In fact, BHF has helped reduce UK deaths from cardiovascular disease by more than half! Today, BHF funds around £100 million of research each year. The charity also tackles health inequalities by influencing government policy and offers a Heart Helpline staffed by clinical experts.
- Show your love: This February, consider joining BHF’s Heart Month campaign. You can “Go Red” and plan a red-themed fundraiser at your school, work, or among friends. Are you ordering flowers or gifts for Valentine’s Day? Before you order, check out BHF’s diverse partners and see if you can order your goods from one of their many partner-vendors. You can also sign up for BHF’s free online CPR course—it only takes 15 minutes!
Heart Research UK
Heart Research UK is committed to supporting ground-breaking medical research. For context, 50 years ago, 70% of heart attacks in the UK resulted in death. Today, at least 70% of people survive. The charity’s vision is a future with no more deaths from heart disease. Heart Research UK has invested more than £30.7 million into medical research across the UK. The charity also offers Masterclasses to educate clinicians and health professionals and awards Healthy Heart Grants to community groups and projects that promote heart health and healthy lifestyles.
- Show your love: When you donate to Heart Research UK, you’re supporting their impressive investment in medical research—whether you give a single or recurring donation or make a gift in memory of a loved one. But that’s not the only way you can help. Heart Research UK offers some of the most unique and inspiring challenges, from an Everest Base Camp Trek to a Great Wall of China Trek. Or, for Valentine’s Day, why not gift a special something from the Heart Research UK’s online shop, from a floral scarf to an elegant pin badge.
Cardiomyopathy UK
Cardiomyopathy UK supports people affected by cardiomyopathy, a disease of the heart muscle. The disease affects at least one in every 250 people and can have a devastating impact on people of all ages, including babies. Cardiomyopathy UK supports children, young people, and adults through various campaigns focused on improving access to quality treatment, raising awareness, and supporting life-saving research. The charity also offers a hotline to talk with skilled nurses as well as support groups and conferences.
- Show your love: This February, support Cardiomyopathy UK’s Heart Month campaign by downloading and sharing graphics that raise awareness of cardiomyopathy. If you’re keen to get active and improve your own heart health, consider joining Cardiomyopathy UK’s #TeamCardio for an upcoming challenge, from the London Landmarks Half Marathon to the Unique Inflatable Obstacle Course Race (OCR)—yes, inflatable! You can also donate your time or money or shop the charity’s store for a special gift.
We wish you a happy Valentine’s Day and a happy Heart Month! How will you get involved to support a happy, healthy heart for yourself and your loved ones? What other charities or campaigns do you intend to support, or how are you keeping your own heart healthy and strong? We hope you’re able to show your love this month and help make a heartfelt difference for everyone affected by heart and cardiovascular disease.