Soon after retirement from his much loved professional rugby league career, Keegan was shocked to be diagnosed with Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) and Heart Failure. He shares his story here with Rob Underwood, speaking candidly about the mental and physical challenges he faced in acknowledging reality of the condition. Keegan also talks openly about the raw emotions he went through when coming out, both privately and publicly, as gay. He goes on to praise the value of Pride Month, in raising awareness surrounding the continuing challenges faced by the LGBTQ+ community.

For over 60 years, British Heart Foundation has led the way in transforming the outlook for people with heart and circulatory diseases. Now, with your support, we are funding vital research into inherited heart muscle conditions like dilated cardiomyopathy. Work that could lead to earlier diagnosis, better treatments and lives saved. People like Keegan are counting on this progress and with your support, we can keep pushing forward.

As a charity, BHF depends on the generosity of donors and thank you to those who already give. If you too would like to donate, you can do so by going to bhf.org.uk/donatepod. Meanwhile, if you have any questions or concerns about your own heart or circulatory health and would like to talk to a cardiac nurse on the BHF’s free Heart Helpline, just go to our website at bhf.org.uk/hearthelpline where you'll find all the contact options. Also, if you’d like to share your own heart story, or have thoughts on this episode, do email us at, thetickertapes@bhf.org.uk.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Here on the Ticker Tapes, since we launched back in 2021, we’ve been lucky enough to have had compelling conversations with many people impacted by heart disease. We’ve covered everything from coming through major heart surgery to caring for someone with a heart condition, and on this episode we’re re-visiting a story first published back in the spring of 2023.

Jody and Jamie Crook are tireless supporters of the work of BHF. They know only too well the emotional rollercoaster of living with an inherited heart condition, and the impact it has had on their family has been nothing short of monumental. Yet they bravely use their own experience to help others feel less alone and to highlight the need to fund research into such conditions.

Their story began in early August 2021, when their daughter Sienna – then just 14 months old – had a sudden cardiac arrest after returning home from an outing to the park with friends. She went on to be diagnosed with the inherited and currently incurable Brugada Syndrome, which Jody and Sienna’s brother Theo have since discovered they also have. In this episode Jody speaks bravely about the journey they have all been on. We hope you enjoy the chance to listen again.

As a charity, the British Heart Foundation depends on the generosity of donors to continue carrying out our lifesaving research. If you would like to donate, you can do so at bhf.org.uk/donatepod

If you've got any questions or concerns about your heart or circulatory health and want to talk with a cardiac nurse on the BHF’s Heart Helpline, go to our website at bhf.org.uk/hearthelpline and you'll find all the contact options.

And if you’ve got your own heart story, or have any thoughts on this episode, we'd love to hear from you at: thetickertapes@bhf.org.uk

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Emma Green’s personal heart health story actually started before she was even born. Her father Matthew tragically lost his own mum when he was only 13. She died very suddenly following a sudden cardiac arrest, and Emma remembers growing up, how birthdays and Mother’s Day were always difficult and very emotional for her beloved dad.

Then, just four days after Christmas in 2019, Emma’s own life was turned upside down when Matthew himself died following a cardiac arrest at home, in the middle of the night. Emma was just 15 when this happened and her younger brother was only nine years old. Left grieving and picking up the pieces, Emma then went to suffer two years of terrifying blackout episodes before almost losing her own life - and then finally getting some answers as to what was happening to her, and what had happened to her dad and grandmother.

Emma is a truly remarkable person who has been through more in her two decades than many people will face in a lifetime. But, as she tells Sarah Marsh, she is absolutely determined that her story be used to help others. And she’s determined to tell Matthew’s story for the same reason, especially because he’s not here to do it himself.

BHF is committing to saving lives and giving everyone more time with the people they love. From revealing the hidden dangers in our DNA, to designing better diagnostic equipment, to exploring new targets for future drug development, BHF-funded research into Long QT Syndrome could help achieve that goal.

And BHF is also committed to sharing stories of heart patients, and their family members and carers, to ensure people going through something difficult know they’re not alone. Visit: www.bhf.org.uk/informationsupport to find out more. You can also find many real stories by searching online for BHF’s Heart Matters Magazine.

As a charity, the British Heart Foundation depends on the generosity of donors to continue carrying out our lifesaving research. Thank you to all those who already give. If you too would like to donate, you can do so at bhf.org.uk/donatepod

Meanwhile, if you've got any questions or concerns about your heart or circulatory health and want to talk with a cardiac nurse on the BHF’s free Heart Helpline, go to our website at bhf.org.uk/hearthelpline where you’ll find all the contact options. And if you’d like to share your own heart story or have any thoughts on this episode, we’d love to hear from you. Please email us at, thetickertapes@bhf.org.uk

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.