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Posted: Tue 16th Sep 2025
Hundreds of Wrexham residents attended a pop-up health event aimed at identifying people living with undiagnosed heart failure.
The drop-in event, held at The Turf on Mold Road on September 11, provided on-the-spot heart health assessments to members of the community.
Organised by leading heart failure charity The Pumping Marvellous Foundation, NHS Wales, Roche Diagnostics UK and Ireland, and Medtronic, on-site clinicians used the proven ‘BEAT HF’ methodology (Breathless, Exhausted, Ankle swelling, Time for a test) to raise awareness of common symptoms and identify those at risk of heart failure.
Attendees were given the chance to discuss symptoms, have their blood pressure and heart rhythm checked by NHS professionals. Where appropriate, residents were also offered a simple, finger-prick blood test that can help detect heart failure in minutes.
It is estimated that over 42,000 people are living with diagnosed heart failure in Wales, but many thousands more are thought to be unaware they have the condition.
Left untreated, heart failure can lead to a significant reduction in quality of life and is the leading cause of hospital admissions for people over 65. The Wrexham event aimed to find these individuals earlier, allowing them to access life-changing treatment and support before their condition worsens.
Yvonne, a Wrexham resident who attended the event with her friend Glenn, said: “A friend told us about the Healthy Heart event, and we decided it would be a good idea to come and have a check.
“The process was brilliant; we had our blood pressure checked and even had an ECG done using a phone, which was amazing.
“To find out everything was normal gives you great peace of mind. It’s so important to have events like this that can help diagnose conditions like heart failure earlier, and we would definitely come along to another one.”
Across the whole of the UK, over one million people live with heart failure, with an estimated 400,000 more undiagnosed. Event organisers are now calling for this community-based testing model to be integrated into NHS services across the country to address this hidden health crisis.
Nick Hartshorne-Evans, CEO of The Pumping Marvellous Foundation, said: “Today in Wrexham, we’ve shown what’s possible when we stop waiting for sick people to find their way to a hospital. We’ve taken healthcare to the people.
“Heart failure is a cruel and unforgiving condition if you catch it late, but a manageable one if you find it early.
“The turnout today proves that communities want to be empowered with knowledge about their own health. This model works, it saves lives, and it saves the NHS money.
“We now need to see this brilliant collaboration scaled up as a national priority across all of Wales and the rest of the UK. It’s common sense, and it’s the right thing to do for patients.”
David Roberts, Cardiac Rhythm Management (CRM) Operating Unit Lead, Medtronic UK & Ireland said: “Medtronic have been delighted to support these events with Pumping Marvellous for many years, funded through our educational grant program.
“It is at the heart of how we operate at Medtronic, partnering with patients, healthcare professionals, and industry to power innovation at every level.
“As with many conditions, heart disease is best treated when caught early, and we are delighted to see so many people attend these events which empower patients to get the knowledge they need and to seek treatment early.”
Joe Whelan, Portfolio Lead – Near Patient Care at Roche Diagnostics UK and Ireland added: “We’re proud to support this initiative, alongside our partners, to bring the power of diagnostics directly to the community.
“This is a vital way to help people detect heart disease earlier and access the care they need faster. Our collaboration is a testament to our shared mission to improve heart health and access to care across the country.”
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