DUP MLA Deborah Erskine has described her daughter Olivia as a ‘wee heart warrior’.

Olivia, Deborah’s first child, was born last September. Yet within the first week of her life, Olivia had a cardioversion, which involves the use of a defibrillator to bring her heart rate back to a normal level. It took 13 attempts and Olivia was diagnosed with supraventricular tachycardia (SVT).

Deborah had enjoyed a relatively healthy pregnancy but at 29 weeks, the Fermanagh politician was informed that there was an issue with her baby girl’s heart and she was closely monitored.

Deborah said: “My daughter Olivia was born eight weeks early. She was sent straight to neonatal intensive care and was diagnosed with supraventricular tachycardia (SVT), a condition that causes an abnormally fast heart rhythm.”

Following her early arrival, Olivia was cared for in the Royal Victoria Hospital’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit before being moved to Clark Clinic in the Royal Victoria Hospital for Sick Children.

“In the first week of her life, the defibrillator was used on Olivia 13 times,” admits Deborah.

“It was a really distressing time for me and my husband as we navigated all the emotions around being overjoyed with her birth, to managing our anxiety around Olivia’s health and development.

“With SVT, Olivia’s heart can beat as fast as 270 bpm and she was also diagnosed with atrial flutter, an abnormal heart rhythm which causes her heart to beat too quickly.”

 

Throughout this difficult time, Deborah and her husband were given a leaflet by their consultant explaining SVT.

Deborah said: “When we got that diagnosis, we were given a booklet compiled by the British Heart Foundation to explain to us as parents what SVT was and what it would look like going forward.

“That gave us great hope knowing that it wasn’t going to be a life sentence for Olivia.

“We have a wee heart warrior in Olivia and we’re absolutely delighted with her, she’s doing really well.”

Deborah emphasised how important it is for families who are living with cardiovascular disease to get support and how funding research can help make a difference by finding better treatments and cures.

She added: “It’s so important that there is continued support and funding of cardiovascular research to be able to make sure that things are better for the likes of Olivia and the generations that come after her.”

 

Sinn Féin MLA Philip McGuigan never considered himself a candidate for heart disease.

Yet, having been diagnosed with AF (atrial fibrillation), Philip had a cardiac arrest during a routine procedure at the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast.

It was a major shock to Philip as he led an active lifestyle in his 30s and 40s, cycling and running. In 2021, his smart watch alerted him to his high heart rate and upon investigation at hospital, he was diagnosed with AF.

Atrial fibrillation is a common abnormal heart rhythm that causes your heart to beat irregularly and often too fast.

Philip said: “I always considered myself reasonably fit and healthy, so I wouldn’t be a typical candidate for someone you think would have heart problems.

“As well as atrial fibrillation, I have conduction problems. The doctor described it to me that my heart signal, instead of going down the motorway, is going down side roads and getting blocked.

“I also have heart disease and my left ventricle is operating at a much lower percentage than the normal range.”

It was after Philip’s diagnosis that he had a cardiac arrest.

Philip said: “When I was in hospital for ablation surgery, my heart stopped during the procedure and I had a temporary pacemaker fitted which was then removed before I was discharged from hospital.”

Philip spent a week in hospital before being discharged with medication.

Philip continued: “In the immediate aftermath, all I could think about is how this might affect my future, whether I could remain active, and I was most anxious about whether I would live to see my grandchildren grow up.”

Philip has now returned to his active lifestyle of cycling and continues to have regular check-ups.

He said: “I’m so thankful for the treatment I got within our health service. I’m on medication and can now manage my condition and hopefully delay any further deterioration of my heart function.

“I was initially shocked at being diagnosed with AF as the majority of people I knew with it were in their 70s and 80s. It has really brought home to me that regardless of their lifestyle or their gender, people can be impacted by heart disease.”

Philip added: “There’s a clear need for continued research to support improvements in treatment of cardiovascular disease. I would also encourage everyone to look after their heart health and be aware of symptoms.”

Deborah and Philip shared their stories as part of British Heart Foundation’s ‘Keep Northern Ireland Beating’ campaign.

To mark 65 years since BHF began, the charity is unveiling 65 red benches across the UK in tribute to those living with cardiovascular disease, including heart attacks.

Behind every bench is a powerful real-life story of someone living with a cardiovascular condition – and thanks to research, they can survive to enjoy life with their loved ones.

Every day, around 12 people in Northern Ireland die from cardiovascular disease, with the condition affecting more than 230,000 people in Northern Ireland.

British Heart Foundation hopes that the red benches will encourage others to open up about their experience of living with cardiovascular disease and help raise awareness in Northern Ireland.

The charity is also urging people for donations so they can help fund more groundbreaking research to keep Northern Ireland’s hearts beating.

Fearghal McKinney, Head of British Heart Foundation Northern Ireland said:

“Deborah and Philip’s stories show the true reality of living with cardiovascular disease, and we are so grateful that they have courageously shared their experience to help others.

“Despite being one of Northern Ireland’s biggest killers, our new findings show cardiovascular disease is still misunderstood or not taken seriously – and that those living with it face judgement and challenges.

“By sharing the stories of people who live with cardiovascular disease on our iconic red benches in Northern Ireland, we hope to start more conversations that change dangerous misconceptions. Research will help us save and improve more lives, but the only way we can fund the scientific breakthroughs of tomorrow is thanks to the public’s generous donations.”

Every day, around 12 people in Northern Ireland die from cardiovascular disease. Donate now to keep Northern Ireland beating – visit bhf.org.uk/what-we-do/in-your-area/northern-ireland/keep-northern-ireland-beating