National Institute for Health and Care Research

08/03/2026

The studies and trials we fund are improving prevention, diagnosis, treatment and care for women and girls.

For International Women's Day, we are celebrating the amazing women who take part in the research we fund and support. 💙

Here are just a few of them:

🎓 Amber thought her ‘life was over’ when she was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis aged just 20. She is now urging others to take part in health and care research - after a drug trial gave her the chance to finish university.

🤰🏿 Ore-Ofe, who has sickle cell disease, wants to build a better world for others with the condition by taking part in research. She took part in a study looking at whether a new treatment improves women’s and babies’ health in pregnant women with sickle cell disease.

👃🏾Jaina was in her early 30s when severe asthma led to her losing weight, her job and eventually her sense of smell. Taking part in research changed that all, as her sense of smell returned almost immediately.

🚶🏻‍♀️ Elaine has lived with the brittle asthma for over half of her life. After taking part in a research trial, she's now able to walk further without losing her breath.

Read their inspiring stories and more in the comment below! 👇

02/03/2026

700,000 people have now signed up to our Be Part of Research service 🎉

Every time someone receives treatment for a health condition, it’s because of the many people who took part in health and care research. But to improve health and care for all of us, we need everyone to get involved.

🖥️ Our free online service matches people to studies from across the UK - making it easier than ever to take part in vital health and care research.

Through Be Part of Research, you can find and take part in research into nearly every major health condition. Simply sign up online and choose the areas of health and care research you’re interested in.

Want to get involved? Get started at bepartofresearch.nihr.ac.uk/join

28/02/2026

This month is World Heart Month so we're taking a look at people who have taken part in important heart research!

♥️At just 19, Sanjana from Newcastle, was told that she would eventually need a heart transplant. A decade later, taking part in research allowed her to be the first patient in the UK to receive a heart transplant that tested an innovative method of travel for the donated hearts.

♥️When Mike, from Cornwall, was 31 he had a heart attack, despite being fit and playing rugby. Now 66, he is taking part in research testing 2 different medicines to lower cholesterol.

♥️Sandra, 67 and a great-grandmother from Lancashire, was the first person globally to join the ULTRA long study. Following a heart attack, she’s helping researchers test new stent size options.

♥️After 15 years of heart disease, Adrian from Northampton was the first in the UK to join a groundbreaking heart transplant trial! The 65-year-old tested a new machine that keeps donor hearts supplied with oxygen and nutrients.

Read the stories in the comment below ⬇️

27/02/2026

Strong at heart: What research is revealing about heart health in Black communities 🫀

We're excited to share the latest article from our partnership with the Voice Newspaper, shining a light on heart health in Black communities.

People from Black African and Caribbean backgrounds are more likely to develop high blood pressure and experience strokes earlier often because of barriers like late diagnosis, discrimination, mistrust, everyday stress, and gaps in follow-up care.

Research is helping us understand these challenges and find better solutions. From studies looking at how stress affects blood pressure to trials showing that treatment isn’t “one size fits all,” the evidence is growing and helping to shape more personalised care.

To help change this, we announced an investment of £50 million in 2025, alongside the British Heart Foundation, to tackle heart health inequalities and improve early detection and long-term management of high blood pressure and high cholesterol.

This article also features Patricia’s powerful experience taking part in research and how it helped her feel safe, supported, and more confident in her treatment.

🔗 Read the full article: https://www.voice-online.co.uk/sponsored-2/2026/02/25/strong-at-heart-what-research-is-revealing-about-heart-health-in-black-communities/

26/02/2026

Are you physically active enough?

One study estimated that 1 in 10 early deaths could be prevented if everyone did at least an hour and a quarter of moderate-intensity exercise per week 🏋️🔥

Staying physically active can also be good for your mental health, energy and mood. The government recommends at least 2 and a half hours of moderate physical activity or an hour and a quarter of vigorous physical activity each week. This should include strength activity twice a week.

Exercise is also great for your cardiovascular health. Research has even shown that static physical activity, such as plank or wall squats, could reduce standing blood pressure ❤️

Find out more in the comments below ⬇️

24/02/2026

19/02/2026

Meet Adrian, a 65-year-old keen cyclist and the first person in the UK to join a groundbreaking heart transplant trial! 🚴‍♂️❤️

For 15 years, Adrian managed heart disease with medication and a pacemaker. But when his condition led to end-stage heart failure, he found himself on the transplant waiting list.

While waiting for his new heart, Adrian was told about a research trial. The trial is testing a machine that keeps hearts supplied with oxygen and nutrients during transport - the biggest change to transplantation in 40 years!

“I thought it would help one way or another, so I was quite happy to sign up and contribute something to this research.”

Read his story in the comment below and find out how you can too!

16/02/2026

“I hope what I’m doing now will help others in the future.”

When Mike was 31 he had a heart attack, despite being fit and playing rugby. Since his heart attack, he has been regularly checking his heart health and cholesterol levels ❤️

On a visit to his GP for a check-up, his doctor told him about a new trial. This trial was testing 2 different medicines to lower cholesterol.

Clinical trials help test if new medicines work and are safe. People like Mike volunteer to help scientists and doctors learn more.

Read his story in the comments below and find out how you can get involved in research ⬇️

13/02/2026

How is research helping us have healthier hearts? 💓

From software preventing early heart disease in high-risk patients to targeting heart disease through immune cells, research is helping improve people’s lives.

In the UK, someone dies from a heart or circulatory condition every 3 minutes. Research can help find better ways to prevent and treat heart disease and circulatory conditions.

Click the link in the comments below to read about 5 studies that are helping us have healthier hearts ⬇️

11/02/2026

This Heart Month, meet Sandra, a great-grandmother from Oswaldtwistle in Lancashire 👋

After a shock heart failure diagnosis and a subsequent heart attack, Sandra was told she needed a procedure to widen her arteries.

It was during this time that she was offered the chance to take part in research. Sandra is the first participant in the world to join a study testing new sizes of the BioFreedom Ultra stent! 🌍

Because every heart is different, having the correct length and diameter for a stent is crucial. This study is looking at 14 new size options to help patients with heart disease live better, longer lives.

Sandra is now doing well and visiting the hospital regularly for her check-ups as part of the two-year study. She’s sharing her story to encourage others to consider taking part in research.

“I would encourage others to look at research.” - Sandra

Read her story in the comment below and find out how you can too!

10/02/2026

❤️ Claire and Sarah know first-hand how serious heart problems can be during pregnancy.

Both women experienced frightening symptoms that were dismissed and misdiagnosed. Their stories highlight why better understanding, earlier detection and improved care are urgently needed.

Heart disease accounts for more than one third of pregnancy-related maternal deaths.

A new national study, PREG-HEART, is now launching to help tackle this. The study will create the first UK-wide, direct-to-patient research platform dedicated to heart health in pregnancy. Enabling women from anywhere in the UK to join online, provide their health information and permission for long-term follow-up by using their NHS records.

We’re proud to be supporting this important research. PREG-HEART also makes taking part easier than ever: women can sign up online from home in just a few minutes.

📢 Pregnant women with or without a diagnosed heart condition can now take part.

Read more and find out how to get involved ⬇️