Who we are
Why we are here
Welcome to Heartlink and our website!
Have a look round the site to get full details of what we do and our many activities
You can find help and advice about heart disease by clicking the link HERE.
We want you to join us, whether you need help yourself, want to help others or just want to get involved.
Heartlink is a local charity led by heart patients, for heart patients and their families. Based in Southall, Greenford, Hanwell, Ealing, and West London, we provide support and advice to those living with heart conditions, especially those undergoing or recovering from hospital treatment.
While clinical staff focus on medical care, Heartlink offers something equally vital, personal understanding and guidance from those who’ve been through the same journey.
We are deeply committed to raising awareness about heart disease risk factors within the community. By hosting educational workshops, health awareness events, and outreach campaigns, we help individuals identify and address common risks such as high blood pressure, poor diet, smoking, and lack of exercise.
Our goal is to empower people with the knowledge they need to make healthier choices and reduce their chances of developing heart-related conditions.
. Our website is 'heartlink.charity'.
See the 'About us' section for fuller details of us and what we do.
Heartlink AGM – building a healthier future
At our Annual General Meeting on 2nd October, Heartlink members endorsed plans to strengthen our activities to support local heart patients and to develop new heart health initiatives for the wider local community.
In his keynote speech, Dr Harmandeep Singh, Heartlink Trustee, spoke about the vital impact that Heartlink has in tackling the high levels of heart health problems locally. He spoke passionately about the difference it has made to many patients, including those on the Hospital Cardiac Ward, to be able to share experiences with other heart patients and to become part of a supportive local group.
He emphasised our key role in the local community in providing reliable, accurate information about heart health, given the volume of misinformation, particularly on social media. He encouraged us to develop our own material, such as podcasts and short video clips, to set up our own Heartlink social media presence in the next few months. He also wants us to do more to encourage local people to have basic heart health checks, including blood pressure and blood sugar levels.
The well attended and enthusiastic meeting reviewed our work and finances for 2024, elected a committee for the next year and endorsed six key local cardiac specialists as Trustees of our charity. Our programme was endorsed by 70 members and key local supporters, including Cllr. Polly Knewstub, Ealing Council Cabinet Member for Healthy Equal Lives, and Cllr. Mrs. Mohinder Midha, ex-Mayor of Ealing, and long -time Heartlink supporter.
Understanding High Blood Pressure
September's Heartlink meeting was lucky to be treated to an excellent overview of hypertension (high blood pressure), it’s causes, how it is diagnosed and treated, and what we can do about it ourselves. The talk was given by Dr Jamie Kitt, Consultant Cardiologist and General Internal Medicine Physician at Ealing Hospital, and was attended by over 50 members & supporters.
Dr Kitt explained that blood pressure is created by the force of blood pushing against arteries as it is pumped by the heart. Hypertension is a huge worldwide problem affecting one in four men and one in five women during the course of their lives. If untreated, it causes major complications such as strokes, kidney disease as well as heart attacks. It has a range of causes, some of which are genetic or caused by medical conditions, but mostly it is caused by factors in our own lives that we can try and address. Some drugs for other conditions can also result in raised blood pressure.
Dr Kitt told us how to take accurate blood pressure readings using a home monitor and explained that concerns start for readings on average above 140/90, and rise when readings get even higher. He explained the different drugs used to treat hypertension and how they work, but he emphasised that patients can also do much to help themselves, for example by moving and exercising, by having a positive outlook, by eating wisely and by connecting with others.
There was a lively discussion about many aspects of high blood pressure, as many in the room suffer from hypertension, and Dr Kitt dealt with many questions. The importance and simplicity of regularly taking your own blood pressure was stressed, and it was also underlined that pharmacies offer a free blood pressure testing service. Dr Kitt talked about the vital role of groups like Heartlink in helping people understand more and learn how to deal with high blood pressure. Feedback to the session from those attending was extremely positive.
A copy of Dr Kitt’s presentation can be viewed HERE.