Consultant Cardiologist (Heart Failure & Complex Devices), Cheshire & Merseyside Network Lead for Heart Failure & Device Therapy, Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital, UK
I have always been driven to improve the lives of people with heart failure. It is extremely rewarding to be in a position where I can improve the quality of life and prognosis of people with a condition that is often underdiagnosed and undertreated.
My role varies from routine clinic work to managing acutely unwell patients on a heart failure ward. A large part of my role is around device therapy. Working in a large quaternary care centre allows our patients to access the latest technology for heart failure diagnosis and management (such as the EV-ICD, an implantable cardioverter defibrillator, which we have just started using at my hospital). Additionally, my role as the Network Heart Failure Lead allows me to help shape our regional strategy for improving heart failure outcomes.
I think there has been a paradigm shift in the way we are treating people living with heart failure. Generally, as heart failure specialists, we are becoming more proactive with our pharmacotherapy to improve heart failure management and quality of life. Despite this, we recognise that early diagnosis and treatment are key, and screening for the condition must be improved to ensure this becomes accessible for people experiencing heart failure symptoms.
Collaboration is key if we are to improve heart failure outcomes. The HFPN is a world-class forum bringing together specialists to share ideas and strengthen efforts to secure progress in heart failure management.
I would like to see the Network provide more opportunities to connect with other members. This could be through an increase in the number of HFPN meetings and perhaps some sort of annual conference, allowing members to meet and showcase our work.
To improve heart failure outcomes across the world, I feel there are three critical changes we need to see:
As a device therapist, the increasing use of complex medical devices to provide therapeutic and diagnostic benefits for heart failure patients is extremely exciting. This is an area that will continue to grow.
I have a wonderful family, and I enjoy sport and travel.
The Heart Failure Policy Network brings together experts who are united in their passion: to improve outcomes for people living with heart failure.
We share profiles of our members to showcase what led them to work in heart failure, and find out about changes they would like to see in prevention and care.