A WOMAN has urged people to get their hearts checked after members of her family suffered numerous coronary problems.

Hairdresser Arlene Twist lost both of her parents to heart attacks a few years ago, both aged just 61.

Brother Harry had stents inserted due to heart problems 18 years ago and underwent a heart bypass two years ago, while younger brother Bob suffered a heart attack.

The grandmother-of-two raised more than £450 from her 60th birthday and ruby wedding celebrations for the British Heart Foundation.

The owner of Arlene’s in Redlam, Blackburn, also held a coffee morning and raised more than £100, with staff baking cakes and selling them in aid of the heart charity.

She decided to raise the money after hearing about Blackburn and Darwen signing up to become official heart towns.

Arlene said it was vitally important that looked after their heart health.

She said: “No-one would have thought Bob was at risk as he was really fit.

“But there is so much they can do these days and he is really lucky to be alive.

“At the end of the day, people can live with other illnesses but when the heart stops, then that’s it, so it is most important that we support the British Heart Foundation.”

Barbara Dunn, of the British Heart Foundation, said: “We would like to thank Arlene for organising such a fantastic event and for presenting us with such a generous donation.”

Blackburn with Darwen Council’s executive member for health, Mohammed Khan said: “Without the fantastic work of community volunteers like Arlene, the British Heart Foundation wouldn’t be able to continue with the work it does.

“We celebrate and recognise the work of volunteers in the borough through our Your Call campaign and hope that many more people will be inspired by her example.”