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.
Out and about this summer
Throughout July and August, our wonderful Heartlink volunteers have been busy out and about in the local community, as well as supporting local patients. One of our key aims is to raise awareness about heart health and help reduce people’s risk of health problems and complications. Since 2024 we have also been promoting the local Ealing Smokefree Service, because smoking is one of the main causes of heart problems, as well as causing cancer and respiratory issues. All of our activities below have been to promote the Smokefree Service.
Early on Saturday, 12th July, we visited the Parkrun in Southall Park and talked to many of the over 100 participants. We got a great reception as we gave out our leaflets and booklets and distributed water to the participants at the end of the run.
On a wet Saturday on 19th July, we visited Meadow View GP Surgery in Northolt and attended their Summer Health Fair. We talked to dozens of the local patients with a great response. On top of this one of our Committee Members worked with the local GPs and surgery staff to help organise a regular Smokefree Clinic at the Surgery itself, for people wanting help to quit.
We visited the Hanwell Cardiac Rehabilitation Group at the end of July, where we were joined by representatives of Ealing Trading Standards, who explained their work combating illegal vaping and tobacco. We got a high level of interest from those attending the group.
At the beginning of August, we were invited to run a stall at the Queens Pharmacy on the Broadway in Southall. We were given a table inside had great support from the pharmacy management and the pharmacists in running this stall. We got a good response from both people inside & shoppers outside on the Broadway
On top of this, throughout July and August, we have continued to run our two weekly Information Desks at Ealing Hospital, and have generated good interest amongst patients, those visiting clinics, people attending for tests and visitors to the hospital.
Highly relevant information about heart medication
At our latest Heartlink monthly meeting held at Ealing Hospital on Thursday 7th August, a packed audience of members heard a presentation about ‘Heart Medication’ given by Aanchal Bahl, Senior Specialist Pharmacist in Cardiology at our Hospital Trust.
Almost all those in the audience were heart patients themselves and currently taking heart medication. Aanchal dealt in detail with each class of heart related medication that is in common use (and some that are not so common). She gave a valuable insights into:
· what they do
· how they should be taken
· their possible side effects
· practical ways to avoid problems with them
· possible alternatives
· liaison with medical staff about them
She answered dozens of questions raised by audience members and continued after the meeting to deal with individual issues raised .
Members felt it was one of the best and most useful meetings out of our many helpful sessions.
We would like to extend our great thanks to Aanchal.
