West Middlesex campaign group encourages you to lead a healthy lifestyle

As the British Heart Foundation’s National Hearth Month draws to a close, a patient support group at West Middlesex University Hospital continues its work with patients and the local community to help prevent heart disease.

The Upbeat Heart Prevention and Patient Support Group is affiliated to the British Heart Foundation and works in partnership with the Cardiovascular Alliance to promote healthy living and to provide ongoing support and education to cardiac patients during their rehabilitation. Managed by heart patient, Ron Grant, the group holds an information stand in the atrium of West Middlesex Hospital two days a week and at Heart of Hounslow one day a week, as well as lifestyle roadshows and health screenings in the local community.

The group is financially self-supporting and run by volunteers, many of whom are health trainers or champions. Their work has been recognised with multiple awards for the contribution they have made not only to heart patients in the local community, but also to the cardiology department at West Middlesex Hospital with their generous donations of specialist equipment.

Ron Grant, CEO of Upbeat Heart said: “Suffering a massive heart attack 15 years ago was the most frightening experience of my life. I was inspired to join the Upbeat Heart group because I knew it would allow me to give something back. I am a strong believer in prevention and through our roadshows we try to raise awareness of the importance of a healthy lifestyle. I also want to help fellow cardiac patients realise that suffering from heart failure doesn’t mean the end of your life.”   

You can visit the Upbeat Heart information desks in the atrium of West Middlesex Hospital every Tuesday and Wednesday from 9.00am to 4.00pm or at Heart of Hounslow every Thursday from 1.00pm to 4.00pm.