British Heart Foundation Red Bench celebrates Newry woman who got Pacemaker at 20

A British Heart Foundation red bench has been unveiled in Kilbroney Park, Rostrevor, in living tribute to Newry woman Caoimhe Loughran, who had a pacemaker fitted at the age of just 20. Caoimhe, who played Gaelic football to county standard in her youth, was diagnosed with a serious electrical heart condition after years of struggling to be heard by medical professionals.

Her bench in Kilbroney Park forms part of a UK-wide initiative marking 65 years of the BHF, with 65 red benches being unveiled across the country in tribute to those living with cardiovascular disease. Newry, Mourne and Down District Council Chairperson, Councillor Philip Campbell, said the council was "proud to support the installation of this red bench in Kilbroney Park," adding that he hoped the initiative would "spark important conversations across our communities and highlight the vital work being carried out to improve and save lives."

Caoimhe began experiencing exhaustion and a rapid heart rate at 17, but found her symptoms were repeatedly dismissed. She admits: "I did have quite a long battle with trying to get heard unfortunately, I do feel I was dismissed for being a woman with the belief that my symptoms were down to my menstrual cycle or the pill. I was told I had anxiety on numerous occasions as well."

The Covid pandemic further delayed her diagnosis, and in September 2022, during the first week of a placement year at university, she collapsed at work. An Implantable Loop Recorder was fitted shortly after, but within two months, her heart was stopping in her sleep. Hospital staff contacted her urgently, and she was told she had Heart Block, a condition in which electrical signals in the heart fail to fire correctly. "They theorized that if they didn't intervene, I probably would end up just not waking up," she said. Caoimhe received her pacemaker on 22 December and was discharged on Christmas Eve 2022.

Now 23, she has completed a master's in public health specialising in heart health. She graduated in summer 2024 and was asked to give the student speech at her ceremony. "It was such a proud moment for me not only to be graduating but just thinking that I could have died the year before," she said.

Fearghal McKinney, Head of British Heart Foundation Northern Ireland, said: "Caoimhe's story shows the true reality of living with cardiovascular disease, and we are so grateful that she is courageously sharing her experience to help others." Every day in Northern Ireland, around 12 people die from cardiovascular disease, with the condition affecting more than 230,000 people. The BHF is urging the public to donate at bhf.org.uk/keepusbeating to fund further research.