Call For Britain To 'Check The Pulse To Beat The Stroke!'

Main Category: Cardiovascular / Cardiology
Also Included In: Stroke
Article Date: 11 Jun 2008 - 4:00 PDT

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Up to 100,000 deaths a year could be prevented if people paid more attention to their hearts' natural rhythm, according to the Atrial Fibrillation Association (AFA). This new charity, only established in October 2007 is calling on everybody to listen to their heart as part of the Arrhythmia Alliance Awareness Week (9th - 15th June 2008); the week also coincides with World Heart Rhythm Day.

While Arrhythmia Awareness Week covers a wide variety of heart rhythm conditions, most of which can be treated highly effectively if detected and diagnosed. The most common heart rhythm disorder is Atrial Fibrillation (AF). It affects more than 500,000 people in the UK alone, with 200,000 newly diagnosed cases each year. Normally, the heart beats in a regular, organised way, from a single electrical impulse. If chaotic electrical activity develops this can cause the heart to beat irregularly or less efficiently, this is known as AF. Symptoms can include palpitations, breathlessness and chest pain.

1 in 3 people presenting with stroke are in AF - that is at least 12 000 strokes per year being associated with Atrial Fibrillation, and yet there are effective treatments which can reduce the risk of stroke in patients diagnosed with Atrial Fibrillation.

The National Stroke Guidelines, published late last year by the Department of Health recommends that patients with AF receive the blood thinning medication, such as aspirin or warfarin in order to reduce the risk of stroke. The latest data indicates that at least 20% of AF patients are not receiving suitable anticoagulation treatment. Managed well, warfarin can reduce the risk of a stroke by 60%!

Further information can be obtained from Atrial Fibrillation Association. This includes booklets and an AF checklist all of which have been approved by a panel of AF medical specialists and endorsed by the Department of Health.

Atrial Fibrillation Association

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