Heart Failure and Beyond - Patient Fuelled Podcast

If you have Heart Failure and are meeting with your doctor or nurse, it’s important to ask questions that will help you understand your condition, treatment options, and ways to manage your health. Preparing for a doctor’s or nurse’s appointment can help you make the most of your timeand ensure you cover everything important.

Listen to learn more about some tips for preparing and key questions you might consider.

Listen more to our guide on what is Amyloidosis, types, symptoms, diagnosis, treatments and living with....

Today, we launch the second Heart Failure Unfiltered — a podcast dedicated to raising awareness about heart failure In this episode, Kavita, Dr. Rajiv Sankaranarayanan and Nick Hartshorne-Evans, highlighting the signs and symptoms and how heart failure is often diagnosed far too late. Through this podcast, we aim to raise awareness, improve understanding, and ultimately help more people get diagnosed earlier. Please watch, share, and help us spread this vital message.

People interacting with healthcare services must be treated with respect. They must have equal, timely and appropriate access to optimal treatments and care, as outlined by national and international guidelines. Equally, that respect must be reciprocated to healthcare professionals.

People must understand all communication at the point of discussion, explained clearly and in an understandable format. Healthcare professionals should validate patient understanding to foster a relationship where the patient should always feel at ease to ask any questions about their situation.

It is also vital that patients feel engaged with their various health teams. This leads to patients and their families having optimal confidence in their treatment and care.

Today, we launch Heart Failure Unfiltered — a podcast dedicated to raising awareness about heart failure and honouring the memory of Kavita Oberoi OBE’s beloved mum, who sadly passed away one year ago today.
In this first episode, Kavita shares her personal story alongside Dr. Rajiv Sankaranarayanan and Nick Hartshorne-Evans, highlighting how heart failure is often diagnosed far too late — when patients are already critically ill.
With 80% of diagnoses happening in hospital, many signs — like fatigue, breathlessness, or swelling — are often missed until it’s too late.
Through this podcast, we aim to raise awareness, improve understanding, and ultimately help more people get diagnosed earlier.
Please watch, share, and help us spread this vital message.

Presented in collaboration with The Pumping Marvellous Foundation, this podcast aims to create a more compassionate, supportive environment for those living with heart failure.

By tuning in, you’ll gain deeper insights, discover valuable resources, and become part of a community dedicated to hope, resilience, and proactive change.

You Will Hear From:

• Individuals Living with Heart Failure – Real, raw, and unfiltered perspectives on fatigue, breathlessness, and the daily challenges they face.
• Carers and Family Members – Honest accounts of the emotional toll, constant worry, and sense of isolation that come with supporting a loved one.
• Peer Support Advocates – How community groups offer relief from isolation, shared coping mechanisms, and a safe space to be heard and understood.

You Will Learn About:

• Daily Living Challenges – How basic tasks like cooking, laundry, or even showering can become monumental hurdles—and the innovative strategies people use to manage them.
• Emotional and Psychological Impact – Firsthand stories of anxiety, fear, and the uncertainty of coping with heart failure in a healthcare landscape that often drops off after discharge.
• Misunderstandings and Stigma – The frustration of appearing “fine” on the outside while battling invisible symptoms, and why raising awareness is so crucial.
• Resilience and Adaptation – The inspiring ways individuals take ownership of their condition, finding solutions, advocating for themselves, and refusing to give up.
• Carer Experiences – Unique insights into the pressures carers face, and the resources and support systems designed to ease their load.
• Holistic Approaches – Why listening to lived experiences is vital for building empathy, offering meaningful support, and improving overall care.

Why It Matters:

• This podcast highlights the immense value of community and shared experience, turning isolation into collective strength.
• You’ll hear about the ongoing search for better healthcare, from immediate care to long-term resources for individuals and carers alike.
• Empathy and Understanding are at the heart of every conversation, offering a blueprint for how friends, family, and healthcare professionals can help.

We’re so excited to have you here as we kick off another insightful and empowering episode.

Fred and Daphne are here to guide you through today’s topic with energy, compassion, and expertise.

Together, we’ll explore everything you need to know about Heart Failure with preserved Ejection Fraction (HFpEF)—from understanding the condition to learning how to thrive with it.

This episode is packed with valuable insights, including what HFpEF is, how it’s diagnosed, the available treatments, and practical tips for managing symptoms like fatigue, swelling, and breathlessness.

So settle in, get ready to be inspired, and let Fred and Daphne take you on a journey to living well with heart failure. Let’s dive in! 

Remember: This podcast is for informational purposes only and does not replace medical advice. Always consult your healthcare professional with any concerns or questions about your health.

🎉 Welcome to our marvellous podcast, powered by AI and driven by the voices of patients! 🎉

We’re thrilled to have you join us on this incredible journey of discovery, learning, and connection. And guess what? We’ve got something extra special for you—please give a warm welcome to our brand-new presenters, Fred and Daphne! 🎙️👏

Fred and Daphne are here to guide you through captivating stories, insightful discussions, and expert advice that’s both empowering and inspiring.

In today’s episode, we’re diving into an essential topic: heart failure, also known as “heart inefficiency.” Together, we’ll uncover its causes, symptoms, and treatments, offering valuable insights for anyone affected by or curious about this condition.

We’ll break down the common symptoms, like fluid retention, extreme tiredness, breathlessness, and persistent coughing, and how they might sometimes be linked to other conditions like COPD. Plus, we’ll explore the underlying causes, from coronary heart disease and high blood pressure to factors like obesity, anemia, excessive alcohol consumption, and even high lung pressure.

You’ll learn about the importance of early diagnosis with tools like NT-proBNP blood tests, ECGs, ECHOs, and MRIs, and we’ll debunk the myth that a heart failure diagnosis means your heart is about to stop. Most importantly, we’ll stress that only a specialized heart failure cardiologist can provide an official diagnosis.

But that’s not all—this episode will dive into treatment options, self-management strategies, and the latest advancements in care. You’ll also hear moving stories from patients who’ve faced heart failure and gain insights from experts working on the cutting edge of heart health.

So sit back, relax, and get ready for an episode packed with knowledge, inspiration, and a whole lot of heart. Let’s get started! 💓

Pumping Marvellous, the UK’s patient-led heart failure charity, is launching an exciting new initiative to transform how we talk about living with heart failure. With a fresh, innovative approach, this weekly podcast series will tackle important topics, provide practical advice, and foster a sense of connection like never before.

💡 The "Secret Sauce" Concept
In this week’s episode, discover the power of your personal strengths—your "Secret Sauce"! Pumping Marvellous believes everyone with heart failure has unique skills and resources to help them thrive. Whether it’s a supportive circle of friends, a love for creating healthy meals, or the ability to stay organized with your care plan, you have what it takes to live well.

📚 Accessible, Practical Support
Each episode will highlight clear and easy-to-use resources from Pumping Marvellous, designed to empower you. From understanding heart failure and its types to managing lifestyle changes, the charity is committed to providing guidance that’s simple, actionable, and designed for real life.

🏃 Spotlight on Cardiac Rehabilitation
This initiative also emphasizes the benefits of cardiac rehab, a crucial program that combines exercise, education, and counseling to improve quality of life. Pumping Marvellous is here to help you make the most of these opportunities.

🤝 Building a Community That Cares
The series will celebrate the Pumping Marvellous online community hub, a space where individuals with heart failure can connect, share, and support one another. With weekly topics and guest insights, this is your chance to be part of a growing, caring network.

✨ Weekly Topics to Inspire and Empower
Every week, Pumping Marvellous will bring you a new topic, from understanding your diagnosis to managing symptoms, building healthy habits, and finding joy in everyday life. With medical experts, personal stories, and practical advice, this series is here to help you thrive.

💖 You are not alone. Heart failure doesn’t define you. Together, we can change the conversation and help you live well.

Join us every week as Pumping Marvellous takes you on a journey of hope, empowerment, and community. Let’s do this—together! 🌟

Meet Dr Patricia Campbell.

Patricia is a Consultant Cardiologist in Northern Ireland and is also the Heart Failure Lead for Northern Ireland. Patricia is a Board Member of the British Society for Heart Failure and a valued member of the Pumping Marvellous Foundation Clinical Committee. We talk Heart Failure to Patricia; it is, of course, her speciality.

Meet Laurence, who lives with heart failure in London. Laurence is the Chair of the British Society for Heart Failure Patient Advisory Panel. We speak to him about living his life with heart failure and his opinions on heart failure as a whole. Laurence is a good friend of the charity, and his heart is definitely into improving the care and treatments available to people living with heart failure.

Meet Kate, who lives in the North West of England in the UK. This is a special edition of how the Pumping Marvellous Foundation's recent BeatHF adverts across Classic FM, a UK wide radio station, that's listened to by millions of people, on a regular basis. Kate tells her story of how our advert my have saved her Dad's life.

Meet Danny, who lives with heart failure and comes from Bolton, Lancashire, in the UK. Danny is a Pumping, Marvellous Patient Educator. Danny was a high-flying executive in the travel industry; correction; he needs to find his feet again and continue to be a high-flying executive. Looking at his LinkedIn profile, he's a popular guy. When Danny was diagnosed with heart failure, it shocked him and his wife, Jane. The shock was the diagnosis, but they tell how their suspicions that something wasn't quite right trundled on until Danny was forced into doing something about it after a family holiday. Their story is a well-rehearsed emotional roller coaster of a person's life where time stops, thinks and readjusts. Jane gets involved in this story and emotionally tells you about the impact on her and what went through her mind. A secret sauce worth listening to. Grab your tissues; maybe I should have told you at the start.

Meet Julia who lives with heart failure and comes from near Bedford in the UK. Julia is a Pumping Marvellous Patient Educator. We find out she always wanted to work in a library and then had a change of heart. She's worked in banking, finance and the old directory enquiries and then moved to be a paediatric nurse. She loves to have a chat with other people. She moved away from paediatric nursing and then trained to be a health visitor, she is now a public health nurse and a team leader. Motivational, inspirational and such a "goody two shoes" - she shares her "Secret Sauce" with you.

Meet Jay who lives with heart failure and comes from Cambridge in the UK. Jay is a Pumping Marvellous Patient Educator. He talks about his life and experiences through the podcast and shares his secret sauce with listeners. Jay fell into heart failure diagnosis after a heart attack and cardiac arrest. he communicates his feelings and experiences to help people live better with the condition of heart failure. Jay's a bit of a raver and likes Carl Cox and Graeme Park. At the end of the podcast Jay tells us what his Secret Sauce is.

Our mid-term year 3 of our BeatHF national radio campaign. Adrian Dunbar narrates, creating an amazing set of adverts that are powerful and influential. This short advert airs across Classic FM March-May 2023. We talk about 1,000,000 people living with heart failure and the sigs and symptoms using the BEAT method.

Our mid-term year 3 of our BeatHF national radio campaign. Adrian Dunbar narrates, creating an amazing set of adverts that are powerful and influential. This short advert airs across Classic FM March-May 2023. We talk about people who are more at risk of heart failure on this advert.

Meet Stephen who lives with heart failure and comes from Fife in Scotland. Stephen is a Pumping Marvellous Patient Educator and represents the Pumping Marvellous Foundation in Scotland. He is one of our more experienced patient experts. He talks about his life and experiences through the podcast and shares his secret sauce with listeners. Stephen has experienced the realms of advanced heart failure therapies and communicated his feelings and experiences to help people live better with the condition of heart failure. He describes how treatments have positively impacted his life and how they have been, and still are, real enablers in his life. A keen golfer and supporter of Dunfermline Athletic FC Stephen remains very active and is spotted many times at 'Classy Eateries' with his wife for 'Friday Lunch Club' leaving us all drooling.

Meet Dan from Nottingham, Nottinghamshire in the UK, who lives with Heart Failure. Dan is a Pumping Marvellous Patient Educator, a patient expert. He talks about his life and experiences through the podcast and shares his secret sauce with listeners. Dan had heart failure for many years and gratefully received a heart transplant in 2021. He has a well rounded perspective and is a worthy listen if you are looking to understand the perspective from the patient.

To start off year 3 of our BeatHF national radio campaign, we approached Adrian Dunbar to voice over for us, creating an amazing set of adverts that are powerful and influential. Enjoy the short listen about the prevention of heart failure.

To start off year 3 of our BeatHF national radio campaign, we approached Adrian Dunbar to voice over for us, creating an amazing set of adverts that are powerful and influential. Enjoy the short listen about the symptoms of heart failure and what to do. 

Meet Rich from Leeds, West Yorkshire in the UK, who lives with Heart Failure. Rich is a Pumping Marvellous Patient Educator and the Deputy Chair of the Pumping Marvellous Foundation Trustee Board. He is one of our patient experts. He talks about his life and experiences through the podcast and shares his secret sauce with listeners. Rich is somebody who nows runs Marathons, Walks, Cycles amongst other activities. Rich's heart failure journey started off being diagnosed with heart failure whilst in hospital. He was very symptomatic and unwell. We met Rich at a patient education event in Leeds where he joined our patient educator group. Over the years Rich's journey has been truly amazing. His recovery, from a life threatening position has been truly inspiring. Listen to him articulate his life from diagnosis to Marathon Man. 

Meet Gavin from Darwin, Lancashire in the UK, who lives with Heart Failure. Gav is a Pumping Marvellous Patient Educator, a patient expert. He talks about his life and experiences through the podcast and shares his secret sauce with listeners. Gav is a keen gardener and throughout the pandemic lockdowns he livestreamed gardening sessions to our community of heart failure patients, with many planting seeds and plants for the first time. Gav is also Chair of Blackburn and District Flower Show and has appeared on BBC Radio Lancashire spreading his knowledge and passion for all things gardening. You can also follow him on Twitter @Fruit&VegGav.  Grab a slice of Butter Pie with a mound of pickled red cabbage and listen to Gav talk about his childhood, aspirations and disappointments, having to live with heart failure.

Meet Sally from Derbyshire in the UK, who lives with Heart Failure. Sally is a Pumping Marvellous Patient Educator, a patient expert. She talks about her life and experiences through the podcast and shares her secret sauce. Sally has HFpEF (Heart Failure with preserved ejection fraction) a type of heart failure that impacts around 400,00 - 500,000 people in the UK where treatment options are limited. Maybe grab a Cherry Bakewell, kick your feet back and absorb the intensity of Sally's podcast.

Everybody needs a Dave. Dave is from Nottingham in the UK, you know the home of Sherwood Forest, Robin Hood and his Merry Men. A Patient Educator with the Pumping Marvellous Foundation, who lives with Heart Failure. He's one of our marvellous patient educators and he shares with you his journey and his secret sauce.

Meet Donna from Scotland who lives with Heart Failure. Donna is a Pumping Marvellous Patient Educator, a patient expert. She talks about her life and experiences through the podcast and shares her secret sauce. Get a coffee or tea and a slice of cake and listen to a Heart Failure, patient fuelled podcast.

Meet Teresa from Essex who lives with Heart Failure. A funny and jolly podcast from somebody who shares their secret sauce. Get a coffee or tea and a slice of cake and listen to a Heart Failure, patient fuelled podcast.