Charmaine Griffiths, Chief Executive of the British Heart Foundation: Accelerating Discovery, Prevention and Cure

>>> This episode airs on 1st June 2026 <<<

Heart and circulatory diseases remain among the world's leading causes of death, yet scientific progress is accelerating at an extraordinary pace. In this episode of the Do One Better Podcast, Alberto Lidji speaks with Charmaine Griffiths, Chief Executive of the British Heart Foundation, about the opportunities and challenges shaping the future of cardiovascular health.

Charmaine shares how the British Heart Foundation invests more than £100 million annually in research, supports millions of people through information and advocacy, and works to influence policy on issues ranging from smoking prevention to public health inequalities.

The conversation explores emerging breakthroughs in artificial intelligence, data science and genetics, including the British Heart Foundation's ambitious Cure Heart programme, which seeks to develop the first treatments for inherited heart muscle conditions that can cause sudden cardiac arrest.

They also discuss the growing role of weight loss medications, the importance of tackling health inequalities, and the need to ensure that advances in medicine benefit everyone.

Key topics include:

• How AI, data and genetic technologies are reshaping cardiovascular medicine

• The Cure Heart programme and the pursuit of life-changing treatments for inherited heart conditions

• Why CPR training and wider access to defibrillators can save lives

• The British Heart Foundation's Accelerator Circle and approaches to accelerating innovation

• New partnerships focused on women's cardiovascular health and improving outcomes globally

Charmaine concludes with a powerful call to action: learn CPR.

About Dr Charmaine Griffiths

Dr Charmaine Griffiths has led the British Heart Foundation since 2020, championing the power of research to save and improve lives.

Following her early career as a scientist she has held senior roles across leading national and international research and health organisations including the Institute of Cancer Research, The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust and World Heart Federation.

She currently serves as President of the European Heart Network and Chair of the Cranfield Trust.