Dr Richard Lehman
Medical Advisor to the Health Experiences Research Group, University of Oxford.
GP
Profiles
Here, you can find any of the interviews on this site.
Helen
I qualified as a Registered Nurse in 1984 and since then have worked in a wide range of locations including London, the North-East, Midlands, South West and then Oxford continuously since 1998. During my career I have gained experience in general medicine, intensive care, cardiac surgery and acute psychiatry but the vast majority of my experience has been in cardiology. In 2002 I was appointed as Senior Nurse for the cardiac rehabilitation service in Oxfordshire and realised that there were no nursing services specifically for people living with heart failure, so became involved in helping to develop the service in the county. Since 2006 I have focused purely on caring for people with heart failure.
I qualified as a Registered Nurse in 1984 and since then have worked in a wide range of locations including London, the North-East, Midlands, South West and then Oxford continuously...
Cathleen
Cathleen was diagnosed with atrial fibrillation and heart failure 16 months ago. She takes lots of medicines but feels tired. She sees a specialist cardiac nurse at her local hospital every two months, and her GP when necessary. She feels lonely and depressed.
Cathleen is widowed with adult children. Since her husband died she has lived alone in a ground floor flat in a small block. She is a retired teacher and civil...
Daniel
Daniel was diagnosed 3 years ago with cardiomyopathy and heart failure after experiencing breathlessness. He takes medicines and has an ICD but continues to experience breathlessness and fatigue and can do very little physical activity, which frustrates and angers him. He cannot work and lives off state benefits.
Daniel was a Facilities Maintenance Engineer before he had to retire on health grounds. He has lived with his parents since he became unwell and his relationship broke up. He...
Paula
Paula was born with congenital heart disease. After an operation aged 3 her heart was healthy until her 30s. She has had a new heart valve and a pacemaker. She is constantly tired and breathless on exertion. She regularly travels 400 miles for check-ups with her original cardiologist whom she trusts completely.
Paula is married with three adult children and five grandchildren. She worked as a funeral director before retiring on health grounds. Ethnic background: White British.
Tim
Tim's heart failure was caused by a series of heart attacks about 10 years ago. A cardiac arrest also caused brain damage resulting in short term memory loss. He depends on his wife to give him his medicines. He is in constant pain from his spinal injury and two brain tumours but has a positive attitude to life.
Tim used to work as a machine operator but has been retired on medical grounds for about 12 years, not just because of his heart condition, but also because he...
Paul
Paul was diagnosed with dilated cardiomyopathy 15 years ago. He has a biventricular pacemaker, takes minimal medication and can still do everything he wants to despite becoming breathless and tired. He helps run a local support group and gives one-to-one support to other people with cardiomyopathy.
Paul is a retired business start-up advisor. He is married with adult children. Ethnic background: White English.
Mike
Mike's heart failure was diagnosed 9 years ago after a cardiac arrest. As a result his life changed dramatically—he was banned from driving, which lost him his job and forced him to move house. He has an ICD which has shocked his heart back to life several times. He leads a busy life, has a positive attitude and likes meeting and helping others with heart failure.
Mike is a retired social researcher. He is married with three adult children. Ethnic background: White Welsh.
Ted
Ted has a slow and sometimes irregular heartbeat. He takes a variety of medicines to keep a cough, swollen ankles and breathlessness at bay. Arthritis limits the amount of activity he can do. He is monitored monthly by his GP. He also has diabetes and prostate cancer.
Ted is married with an adult son; his daughter died a few years ago. He is a retired motor parts manager. Ethnic background: White English.
Robert
Robert suspects his heart failure was brought on by a heart attack 24 years ago and then a problem with his heart rhythm 12 years ago. He had a device implanted that will send an electric shock to his heart if it goes out of rhythm, which it did 3 years ago. He takes lots of medicines, is physically active and enjoys life.
Robert is married with adult children. He retired at age 53 from the Royal Navy after a long career, then spent 12 years as a civil servant before finally retiring....