Download the new BHF free podcast

We thought you'd like to know that our latest free podcast is now available to download via iTunes by subscribing to the BHF podcast feed or from our website

In this latest podcast, called Recovery - The Facts in Five Minutes, we talk about some of the major issues faced by heart patients coming out of hospital after suffering a heart attack, or having undergone major heart surgery.

These include how much physical activity to safely do, whether or not to drive, how to cope emotionally with the new situation, dealing with financial and insurance issues, and knowing when it's right to return to work.

If you, or someone you know, is facing issues related to recovery or have other heart health queries, this podcast is for you.

You can also phone our Heart Helpline on 0300 330 3311, and check out the information and resources on our website at bhf.org.uk/recovery

Heart patient Julie’s recovery challenge

We always love to hear from our supporters. When Vicki Gilham wrote to tell us about her family’s sponsored walk in aid of the British Heart Foundation, we thought we’d find out more. Here’s the full story as told by Vicki’s dad, Pete.

“On Saturday 18 October this year, a party of 11 of us set off from the church in Patterdale to walk and scramble our way up Helvellyn in the Lake District via Striding Edge.

“My wife Julie had her mitral valve repaired in August 2007, and had set herself the recovery challenge to be able to climb Helvellyn again.

“We mentioned the trip to our son and daughters and they said they wanted to come with us. The children thought it would be a good idea to turn it into a sponsored event and set up a webpage on JustGiving.

“The climb was a very hard day for Julie. Without the continual encouragement of the family and numerous rest stops she would never have made it. The weather did not help with driving rain, strong wind and low cloud cover. After five hours of grit and determination, she finally made it to the top.

“There must be a God because as we made the final scramble up to the summit, the clouds lifted, the sun came out and the views were magnificent.

“We had originally planned to do the trip a week later but couldn't book any accommodation. That was the weekend of the Original Mountain Marathon and the terrible storms in the Lake District we all saw on the news reports!

“We ended up making over £1,500 for the British Heart Foundation.”

Have you organised your own fundraising activity or taken part in a BHF event? Post your comment below and tell us what you've been doing.