HaveAHeart2006

Hello and welcome to my website.

Just take a moment to imagine what it would be like living with a heart rhythm disorder ....... palpitations, an irregular heartbeat racing at up to 350 beats per minute, pulsing in the neck, chest pressure, dizziness, fainting, breathlessness, fatigue and when these symptoms are present unable to concentrate on even the simplest of tasks.

These symptoms are caused by arrhythmias a fault with the electrical conduction within the heart which produces an abnormal heart rhythm. I would endure these symptoms on a weekly or daily basis. I have a rare type of arrhythmia called Tricuspid Valvular Annular Tachycardia and for as long as I can remember I have been able to hear the sound of my own heartbeat. All of these symptoms can be debilitating and in my case required specialist treatment from the heart rhythm specialists at Papworth Hospital.

As a result of my story I feel that the time has come to thank both Dr Andrew Grace and Papworth Hospital for their ongoing support, perseverance, treatment and for greatly improving the quality of my life. I presented Dr Grace with the challenge of treating my complex arrhythmia and while I wait for a complete cure I feel its time to undertake my own challenge to raise money to enable Papworth Hospital to undertake much needed research into heart rhythm disorders. There is currently little information and research into my condition, a situation that needs to change!

You might ask yourself Why Should I Care? but with 700,000 people* in the UK suffering from arrhythmia these symptoms are consistently in the top ten reasons for hospital admission, using up significant A&E time.  Many patients can be cured of troublesome or life-threatening arrhythmias, others can be treated so their chances of long-term survival and quality of life are greatly improved.

Have A Heart and support fundraising for Cardiac Electrophysiology at Papworth Hospital today. Early detection can improve a patients chance of finding a successful treatment and remember - research saves lives.