Is other diseases touched on enough ?

[oranges15]

I understand cancer is one of the biggest diseases world wide but I believe strokes , heart diseases etc. Aren’t touched on enough. My nana died of a certain heart disease and all I’ve not seen one advert or fundraiser in tv about heart disease this needs to me touched on I would like to make a change ❤️X

[Healthyheart1]

Your so right, when you say the words out loud it does make you think. It's probably thought of as something inevitable heart disease. As you get older people expect that your heart will be under some kind of strain. It's natural I suppose. How can you make a change? All ideas welcome. Good luck, I'm sure that BHF will like the support!!! Sheena

[mistymolly]

I completely understand how you feel. You are an inspiration and I wish you every success in your endeavours. By your thoughtfulness, you are not only keeping your Nan's memory alive but you will also be helping many others whose quality of life is badly affected by heart problems. I wish you every success. God bless you.

[17Nevil]

I agree I think you will find more people die from heart problems than cancer but cancer seems to get all the attention .

I even found at palliative care that the cancer patients got more attention but I was the only person in the room with a do not resuscitate order and who could have dropped dead without warning .

I wasn't bothered - I just want to make the most of it and get on with it

[MichaelJH Heart Star]

I hate the idea of targets but we seem to be in a world where if there is no target things get left. Cancer rightfully has targets for diagnosis and treatment but cardiology whilst they step up in an emergency are to slow otherwise. When I was referred to the Urgent Chest Pain Clinic it took six weeks to see somebody! Not good!

[Healthyheart1 in reply to MichaelJH]

It's just like, wait for the problem to become bigger!! Hopefully things will change, I dont think it will be soon though Sheena

[Hidden]

Cardiology seems to be in "denial" when it comes to immune aspects/inflammation associated with ageing/genetics/stress and other triggers.

They need to be more honest but maybe, that's due to the mainstream politics in Cardiology?

There are astute consultants but it seems "their hands are tied"?

One GC consultant specifically commented "I deal with no inflammation aspect".

Yours, for example, if you had an autoimmune disease, clearly, with close association with the heart disease, It is likely you had signs decades earlier.

They probably could have done more to prevent the eventual crisis, but likely not on NHS. The concept of detection of early signs/early disease stage has no use on NHS as their testing methods are all geared for advanced cases (and some are still failed). Mild disease means, "see you in a few years when you NEED us".

Rescuing patients at the late stage never ends well i.e. far more invasive operation, a much longer recovery, damage left behind etc. They refuse to see the plain logic.

[not2worry]

Here in the USA we have the American Heart Association which actively works to inform people of the seriousness of heart disease. It’s the #1 killer and it is now affecting younger men and women. They advertise on the TV to reach as many people as the can. Unfortunately many folks don’t take it seriously thinking it can never happen to them.

My husband had a HA 20 years ago - he’s 84 now and living an active life. Heart disease is never cured. We have had some bumps along the way but the science and research in our lifetime has met those challenges. Yes, we all complain about the amount of meds we have to take, the lifestyle changes we must make and just the physical limitations we all experience. But we need to realize we have been given a Second Chance. To spend time with those who count, to live to see our children grow up, to hold grand children in our arms, to travel to places we would have not seen and to enjoy the simple things in life - walking our dogs, watching the sun set or belly laughing with mates. Our glass may only be half full but that half sure tastes great.

Yours from Across the Pond

[IanMK]

I read not so long ago that heart disease is now responsible for more deaths than cancer. Great strides have been made in both fields in the last 10 to 20 years but there is still more work to do. Some great work being sponsored by the BHF (and Cancer Research).

[Lezzers in reply to IanMK]

I've also read that heart disease kills more people than cancer. But do you think people's attitude to heart disease is different to cancer? People tend to think you can take a pill for a heart condition whereas with cancer the usual treatment is quite intensive & painful. It's only when someone has a heart condition do they realise how much it impacts their life. I know from my husbands heart journey that people think, he's taking his pills so he'll be fine, someone did in fact say that to me!!

[IanMK in reply to Lezzers]

Talk to the man in the street about heart disease and he probably thinks of heart attacks, stents and valve replacements. Mention Heart Failure and this will be synonymous with death or needing a heart transplant. ‘Cardiomyopathy’ will probably result in a blank look. These are all common terms in this forum and - between us - we know quite a bit about the conditions. At first sight, these are all conditions relating to the physical condition of the heart. It’s interesting to consider that some are often related to the electrical function of the heart and that electrophysiology is a very recent branch of cardiology.

[Milkfairy Heart Star in reply to IanMK]

As well as the 'plumbing and electrics' there is also the growing awareness of the importance of the normal function of the blood vessels.

Hands up anybody who understands non obstructive coronary artery disease.

A cause of 6% of heart attacks and not a blockage due to plaque in sight.

Many people do not understand the difference between a cardiac arrest and a heart attack.

CPR will now be taught to every secondary school pupil.

Congenital heart disease I expect most of the public understand but perhaps not the long term care this involves.

Infection, diabetes, kidneys and autoimmune diseases are all involved too.

Some of us cannot be fixed and despite the best efforts of our Cardiologists live with a long term condition which can have a profound impact on the quality of our lives.

[Lezzers in reply to IanMK]

I think the man on the street simply thinks cholesterol, got a tablet for that. Got high blood pressure, got a tablet for that. Had a heart attack, have a bypass/stent you'll be as good as new!! The first thing most people say if I tell them my husband has heart failure is "can't he have a heart transplant"!! Like that is such a simple thing & no thought is given to the actual heart donor! I think if you were to actually use terminology like "cardiomyopathy" most eyes would glaze over. Whilst heart disease is getting more attention these days there are many variations of it, whereas "cancer" is one word & everyone knows what its about.

[Alison_L]

There have been a couple of high profile heart ad campaigns on TV recently - the "see-though" people, and the boy chatting about his heart. BHF are doing well to raise the profile, but they could always use your help. Good luck!

[Lottie8]

I do agree with you Orange. I have cancer plus heart problems caused by the treatment. A double whammy. The cancer team were all very kind and explained everything carefully and though the treatment is a bit torrid we get through it. However it took ages to see Cardiology afterwards and it was a much more businesslike appointment. I suppose we are now living so much longer their lists must he huge.

I now have , in theory , the choice of dying of a failing heart or the return of cancer........in other words Hobson’s choice!

Cheers !