What is the British Heart Foundation (BHF)?

Updated

The British Heart Foundation (BHF) is a UK charity dedicated to fighting heart and circulatory diseases. It describes itself as the biggest independent funder of cardiovascular research in the UK, and it combines that research funding with direct support for people living with heart and circulatory conditions. You'll find it at bhf.org.uk. The site is useful if you want to understand a heart condition, find healthy-living guidance, learn CPR, donate or shop, fundraise, or take part in an event.

What BHF does

BHF's stated vision is "a world where everyone has a healthier heart for longer." Its work falls into three broad areas:

  • Research funding. BHF says it is the UK's biggest independent funder of research into cardiovascular disease, aimed at new breakthroughs in diagnosing, treating and preventing it.
  • Information and support. The site offers heart health information, help understanding specific heart conditions, healthy lifestyle articles (including over 300 heart-healthy recipes), and access to cardiac nurses by phone, email or webchat through its Heart Helpline.
  • Practical ways to give and get involved. Donations, donating items, shopping in store or online, booking a free furniture collection, DIY fundraising, and in-person or virtual events under "Team BHF."

The scale of the problem BHF points to

BHF frames its work around a "heart health crisis" in the UK. The figures it publishes on its homepage:

Claim Figure
People in the UK living with cardiovascular disease Over 8 million
Frequency of death from cardiovascular disease in the UK Every 3 minutes
Share of UK deaths caused by cardiovascular disease 1 in 4
Global standing Described as the world's biggest killer

These are BHF's own published figures, used to explain why it funds research and asks for donations.

How to use the site

What you do next depends on why you're visiting:

  • You have a question about your heart or a condition. Start with the "Find information and support" section, or contact the Heart Helpline to speak to a cardiac nurse by phone, email or webchat. The site notes the nurses can answer questions or give general advice.
  • You want prevention and lifestyle guidance. The healthy lifestyle section covers nutrition tips, stories, ways to get active and recipes. Seasonal topics appear too — for example, a page on how hot weather affects the heart, with tips for staying safe and cool.
  • You want to give or shop. You can donate money, donate items, shop in store or online, book a free furniture collection, or buy preloved furniture, homeware and appliances.
  • You want to fundraise or take part in an event. BHF provides tips, resources and support for your own fundraising, and lists in-person events across the UK plus virtual events.

What to keep in mind

BHF is a charity, not a clinical service. Its Heart Helpline offers general advice and answers to questions — it isn't a substitute for diagnosis or treatment from your own doctor. The site's research pages describe what BHF funds and why; they are written for a general audience rather than as clinical guidance. If you're looking for something specific, the homepage's "Most viewed" links (Shop BHF, Donate your items, Free heart health magazine, Learn CPR, Sign up to an event) are a quick way to reach the most-used sections.