Who we are

We support health professionals working to improve the lives of patients with heart failure.

The British Society for Heart Failure was founded in 1997 and registered as a charity in 1998 by a group of leading cardiac healthcare professionals who recognised a gap in knowledge and understanding of heart failure across the health service.

Professor Philip Poole-Wilson, our founding chairman of the BSH, was interested in heart failure, coronary heart disease and the global prevention of heart disease and stroke. Heart failure was his major research focus and his work covered both basic science (laboratory studies) and clinical research.

He was an enthusiastic supporter of high-quality fundamental research and a strong advocate of translational research so that what was learnt in the laboratory could be implemented more quickly and efficiently in medical practice.

Our charitable aims

We aim to:

  • increase knowledge and promote research about the diagnosis, causes, management and consequences of heart failure amongst healthcare professionals, with the intention of delaying or preventing the onset of heart failure and improving care for patients with heart failure;

  • provide expert advice to healthcare professionals, patient or government organisations, including the National Health Service, when appropriate and as requested. 

  • Our Strategic Plan

    Our Bridging Strategy outlines our vision and areas of work for 2025

  • Our Governance

    Read about the work we’re doing with NCVO to become a more effective charity

  • How we're run

    We represent the views of our members working in the field of heart failure