A NEW campaign highlighting the effects of severe heart failure has been launched in Worcester.
The British Heart Foundation (BHF) campaign is part of its national Mending Broken Hearts Appeal, which challenges people’s misconceptions about heart failure.
Philip Salter, aged 62, of Worcester, who was diagnosed with heart failure a year ago, helped to launch the campaign alongside the Deputy Mayor of Worcester Councillor Pat Agar, heart failure nurse Cathy Banks and BHF fund-raising Manager Donna Stokes.
Mr Salter had been working long shifts and thought his severe chest pains were a result of indigestion, but after a visit to hospital he discovered he was suffering from heart failure.
He said: “Suffering from heart failure, I can really relate to that feeling of drowning, when you’re unable to catch your breath.
“At its worst I feel that I’m only half breathing and that my lungs are only ever half full of oxygen.
“When I cough, sometimes I feel myself panic. It can be all-consuming and highly distressing for me and my family.
“This is one of the many reasons why I’m supporting the vital work that the BHF is undertaking into researching the cure for heart failure.”
The appeal seeks support from Worcester Heart City to fund regenerative medicine research that could cure heart failure. Visit bhf.org.uk/findthecure.
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