National Cardiovascular Research Network

02/10/2026

Missed our September newsletter in your inbox?

Read it on our website here: https://ncrn.uk/portfolio/newsletter-september/

08/09/2026

Ann's Story❤️

We had the pleasure of speaking with Ann at British Heart Foundation - Wales' Cardiac Panel meeting, where she told us all about why she got involved in PPI and why lived experience is important in research.

Listen to her story below.

Ann's husband was a fit and healthy 30-year-old man when he experie...

13/08/2026

You don't have to be a researcher to be part of research.

The National Cardiovascular Research Network (NCRN) is building a community of people across Wales who are passionate about improving cardiovascular health, including researchers, healthcare professionals, patients, carers, and people with lived experience.

By becoming a free member, you can help us understand what matters most to patients and contribute to a healthier future for all.

Sign up today at ncrn.uk/membership.

11/08/2026

Meet the Researcher🔬

Professor Barry McDonnell is an active research scientist and senior lecturer in Cardiovascular Physiology at Cardiff Metropolitan University.

He’s also one of the directors at the National Cardiovascular Research Network and leads May Measure Month, a blood pressure awareness campaign, for the UK and Ireland.

Professor Barry’s work aims to understand the links between blood pressure, the way the heart and vascular system age, and how blood flows through the arterial system, and how these factors contribute to cardiovascular disease.

By looking at these factors, he aims to learn more about the early warning signs of cardiovascular disease so that it becomes easier to predict and, therefore, prevent.

With around 400,000 people in Wales living with heart disease, this research is needed now more than ever.

03/08/2026

We are so proud to have supported a project like Pump It Up with our AURORA funding.

Children remain vastly underrepresented in cardiovascular research globally, but initiatives like this help raise awareness of the importance of looking after your heart, even at an early age.

Read more about this fantastic scheme, held at the Urdd Eisteddfod earlier this year, via the link in the comments below 👇

31/07/2026

Want to know more about what we do? Read our July newsletter.

It's full of good news stories, research highlights and everything else we've been up to this month.

Click the link in the comments to read, or if you're a member, check your inbox!

30/07/2026

We're delighted to introduce the PULSE Partnership ❤️

PULSE Partnership is a new group of public contributors and people with lived experience of cardiovascular conditions who will help shape the future of cardiovascular research in Wales.

By sharing their knowledge, experiences and perspectives, members will help ensure our research reflects what matters most to patients, families and communities.

We're excited to welcome the PULSE Partnership and look forward to working together to make research more relevant, inclusive and impactful!

Read more via the link in the comments.

30/07/2026

📣 Community groups, charities and local leaders, we'd love to hear from you!

Have an idea that could help your community learn more about heart health or get involved in research?

Through our AURORA Fund, we provide funding for activities that make cardiovascular research more inclusive and accessible.

You don't need any research experience to apply – just a great idea and a passion for making a difference.

❤️ Because the best ideas often start in our communities.

Thinking of applying? Let us know [email protected].

27/07/2026

What happens when our heart system goes wrong?

In our latest article, we explore heart rhythm conditions, why they happen and how we can treat them❤️

Read more:

This month, our research highlight is a paper published in the American Heart Association Journal that uncovered an important clue on why people develop dangerous heart rhythm conditions.