The gift of life is in your hands

"I am privileged to be a Trustee for HEART UK and have seen first-hand the huge impact leaving a legacy has  and what can be achieved"

Steve was diagnosed with familial hypercholesterolaemia, (FH) when it was found he had a cholesterol level of over 13.   At that time, Steve was in his 30’s and was told he had a 50% chance of having a heart attack in his early 50’s, like his father and one of his grandparents who died when his father was a teenager.  Now in his late 60’s Steve remains fit and well with a total cholesterol level of around 4.5. His children and siblings have been screened and fortunately have not inherited FH. “Thanks to getting diagnosed with FH early enough and finding the right treatment, I now have as good a life expectancy as anyone else”, says Steve.

There remain over 250,000 people in the UK who have undiagnosed FH. HEART UK is dedicated to ensuring that the NHS implements policies so these people are identified and receive the treatment that has been so successful for Steve. Identification and treatment is both easy and cheap. “Avoiding 5,000 early cardiac events a year with all the consequent family anguish and economic cost is a no brainer and we must find and treat all these undiagnosed people. HEART UK provides critical support for patients who are diagnosed with FH”, says Steve.

Steve concludes, “I am privileged to be a Trustee for HEART UK and have seen first-hand the huge impact that legacy giving has on the charity. We are so grateful for the kind people who pledge to leave us a legacy in their Will. However small or large the gift is, they are helping to keep HEART UK alive and here to support others well into the future”.

For further information about legacy giving please email Charlotte or to receive your free wills pack click here