What's it like to be 21 and waiting for a heart op?

"In a weird way I am looking forward to the operation now, but as it is a few weeks away I need to concentrate on my pending exams that I am taking. I have to do my exams in summer as I had an operation during the usual exam time. Annoying, but again my health comes first."

Leanne (pictured above right) is 21 and has a congenital heart condition. She's currently waiting to undergo a heart valve operation.

The passage above is taken from a regular blog in which Leanne is going to be sharing her experiences on our young people's website yheart - you can read her first post here

Let Leanne and us know what you think about her blog by posting a comment below.

So what exactly is cardiac arrest?

We've expanded our information on cardiac arrest on our website after the death of singer Michael Jackson at the age of 50. He had reportedly suffered one at his home in Los Angeles.

There's often some confusion between cardiac arrest and a heart attack, but they are actually different things.

Cardiac arrest, which is when the heart stops pumping blood around the body because of a disturbance in the normal heart rhythm, can happen without any existing heart condition.

A heart attack can be one of the causes of cardiac arrest, but other causes can include such things as electrocution, bleeding, choking or a drugs overdose.

To find out more about cardiac arrest and heart attack please visit our website

If you would like to post a comment about Michael Jackson or cardiac arrest please do so below...

The BHF Heart Health Roadshow is back!

The all new Heart Health Roadshow launches this May and will be in Newham & East London until the end of July.

Our Heart Health bus will be at a host of supermarkets and other venues. Simply come onboard for your Free Lifestyle Check. There's no need to make an appointment – just pop in!

You’ll get a free assessment of your current lifestyle including a BMI check . Our friendly heart health advisers will give you guidance and support.

For a list of all the venues and more information see our Heart Health Roadshow on our main website

A Mother's Day Treat

Sunday 22 March is Mother's Day - and we've got some great ideas for pampering mothers.

Our online shop has a special selection of gorgeous girly gifts including spotted hangars, embroidered lavender bags (pictured), photo frames and necklaces and the charming 'name a rose' gift box.

Show your mum you really love her by looking after her heart. See our heart health top tips for mums.

Or why not plan to so something with all the family - we've loads of fun family events across the UK over the next few months - find one near you.

They heard it on the radio...

BHF team member, Andrew Johnson, has been on the road this month as part of the first ever BHF Live! roadshow.

This week BHF Live! has been at The Co-operative in Crook, from where he posts this entry:

"Many people have been coming along after hearing about us on Durham FM.

As a result the free heart health checks have been getting booked up pretty quickly each day.

Our information stand in the store has also been helping people choose healthier choices with some shoppers coming to the stand after to show us the ‘more healthier’ contents of their shopping bags…..

Next stop ASDA in Hartlepool. See you there!"

See the BHF Live! schedule for full details.

Have you visited the BHF Live! roadshow? Post a comment below and let us know your thoughts about it