Northern Ireland Chest Heart & Stroke (NICHS) has recently launched a new heart failure awareness campaign which aims to educate the public about the condition, its symptoms, and encourages people to seek medical advice if they are experiencing any of the signs of heart failure, due to the fact it can have more serious outcomes than a number of cancers.

Edith Donnelly, Advanced Nurse Practitioner, answers your top questions about heart failure.

When Ian Logan, from Ballymena, lost his life after suffering a stroke aged just 56 earlier this year, his wife, Linda, and family, were left devastated that this loving husband, dad, stepdad, and grandad had been taken from them so soon. Linda is now organising a fundraising event for NICHS in honour of Ian’s memory and to raise health awareness amongst the local community.

Jennie Wallace, from Belfast, suffered an unexpected stroke in February last year at just 41 years old. Jennie decided to use what happened to her for something positive so organised a fire walk fundraiser in aid of NICHS who helped Jennie on her post-stroke recovery journey. The event raised an incredible £18,265!

We currently have £1.2 million invested in live research, and last year, your donations made it possible for us to fund four new studies looking at improving stroke recovery, establishing new treatments for respiratory illness, and supporting families affected by Congenital Heart Disease.

When Gordon Riddiough, aged 49, lost his life to a sudden heart attack earlier this year, his family, friends, and work colleagues were left devastated, and in disbelief, that this larger-than-life, fun-loving, and prank-playing dad of two had been taken from them so soon.