As a national charity, the British Heart Foundation (BHF) plays a leading role in the fight against heart and circulatory disease, the UK's biggest killer. It promotes lifestyle choices to aid better health as well as publishing a large selection of literature on the rehabilitation and avoidance of heart related illness. The BHF is also involved in research into causes, preventions, diagnosis and treatment of heart disease. It provides help and support to heart patients and their families through rehabilitation programmes and support groups. It is also involved in the promotion and training of the public and health workers in emergency life support skills and provides life-saving equipment to hospitals and health providers.

In order to meet Government targets for a healthier nation by 2010, the BHF teamed up with the Countryside Agency in a joint initiative in 1998 called 'Walking The Way To Health'. This aimed to set up 200 community-based walking groups targeted at sedentary people across the UK. Communication materials were deemed necessary to support this initiative.