Arts & Culture
Published: February 5, 2024 | Updated: 5th February 2024
Southampton-based charity Heartbeat has thrown its support behind a university competition highlighting how lifestyle factors can impact health.
The competition was run by the Primary Medical Care team at the University of Southampton.
It saw medical students design a creative piece that focused on holistic care and how the physical, psychological and emotional ways we live can affect general wellness.
Fourth-year student Emma Naunton’s piece of digital art entitled ‘Don’t go breaking my heart’ was the winning design.
Specifically relating to how certain lifestyles and choices can lead to poor heart health, it’s been praised by Heartbeat which looks after heart patients and their families in the region.
Emma was on a medical school placement at a GP surgery when she had the inspiration for her creation.
She said: “I encountered many patients with high blood pressure and heart disease and was surprised to learn that many were unaware of simple lifestyle factors that could impact their heart health, such as sleep, alcohol intake and stress.
“I decided to make a piece of art that could offer a holistic insight into this and one that could be understood by all.”
Mark Ind, CEO of Heartbeat, said: “A lot more can be done in terms of prevention of heart disease.
“We’re always on the lookout for projects that shine a light on how simple actions like quitting smoking, drinking less alcohol and moving more can be hugely beneficial for our heart health.
“We’re delighted to hear that Emma’s artwork has been announced as the winning entry, and we’d like to offer our congratulations to her.”
Dr Pritti Aggarwal, Director of Primary Medical Care at the University of Southampton and vice chair of the Wessex Faculty RCGP (Royal College of General Practitioners), has been overseeing the creative competition, which has been running for more than ten years.
She said: “This competition is a great opportunity to allow our students to be creative and focus on holistic care and Emma’s winning design is a great example of this.
“We were incredibly impressed with her piece and we are very pleased to be able to share it with Heartbeat, who we work closely with.”
As part of Emma’s prize for taking the top spot in the competition, she won a cash prize of £250 and also an invitation to the Wessex Faculty RCGP winter ball to receive her prize and certification.
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