Londoners advised to know their pulse during Heart Rhythm Week

Monday 5 June 2017

Londoners are being invited to take a free, 30-second pulse check during Heart Rhythm Week. This simple check could prolong or even save their life.

Heart rhythm disorders (arrhythmias) happen when a heart rhythm is too fast, too slow, or jumping around (irregular).

In London, it is estimated that 68,000 people are living undetected and at risk of blood clots, stroke, heart failure and other heart-related complications. Atrial Fibrillation, as the most common heart arrhythmia, is a major risk, contributing to 1 in 5 strokes.

A simple check using an unobtrusive mobile device identifies if individuals are suffering from a heart rhythm disorder. The mobile ECG quickly checks the heart rhythm and confirms if it is normal, if Atrial Fibrillation is suspected, or if the results need further discussion with a GP.

World Heart Rhythm Week

From Monday 5 June to Sunday 11 June 2017 (Heart Rhythm Week) a unique partnership of healthcare organisations in London, together with the Arrhythmia Alliance, are offering Londoners a free 30-second check to assess their heart rhythm and health at a local setting. This gives the maximum opportunity to diagnose Atrial Fibrillation and those attending the check will also learn about the link between Atrial Fibrillation and stroke, how to stay healthy, and how to check their own pulse.

Where to check your pulse

Mobile ECGs are being offered in the following locations in North West London. If you can’t find a location near you please contact your GP for further information.

  • Tuesday 6 June 2017; 11 to 4pm and Wednesday 7 June 2017; 11 to 4pm. Screening with Kardia AliveCor: West Middlesex Hospital Twickenham Rd, Isleworth, TW7 6AF
  • Wednesday 7 June 2017; 9 to 1pm. Screening with manual pulse check: Hillingdon Hospital, Pield Heath Rd, Uxbridge, UB8 3NN
  • Friday 9 June 2017; 2 to 4pm.  Screening with Kardia AliveCor: Tesco Superstore, Dukes Green Ave, Feltham TW14 0LH.

Dr Axel Heitmueller, Managing Director, Imperial College Health Partners, said:

“Not everyone experiences symptoms of Atrial Fibrillation until it is too late. Joining us for a free and quick 30 second mobile ECG during Heart Rhythm Week will ensure you get to know your pulse. This simple check alone could prolong or even save your life.”

Trudie Lobban MBE, Founder and CEO, Arrhythmia Alliance, said:

“We are delighted so many Know Your Pulse events that have been organised by the pan-London AHSN network during this, our 14th World Heart Rhythm Week. Our aim is to take 10,000 pulse checks during the week and these events in London will be a significant part of this target.”

For further information please contact Matt Grek, Imperial College Health Partners, matt.grek@imperialcollegehealthpartners.com

Further information

  • The PAN London AF working group consists of London’s three London Academic Health Science Networks (Imperial College Health Partners, UCLPartners and Health Innovation Network), the London Clinical Network for Stroke and works in partnership with Arrhythmia Alliance and AF Association.
  • This year’s World Heart Rhythm Week focus is ‘Identifying the Undiagnosed Person’. World Heart Rhythm Week is an Arrhythmia Alliance initiative now in its fourteenth year and the aim is to make 1m people pulse aware, take 10,000 pulse checks and identify 1,000 people with an irregular heart rhythm through 100 Know Your Pulse events. More information http://www.heartrhythmalliance.org/aa/uk/heart-rhythm-week
  •  Atrial Fibrillation (AF) is the most common heart arrhythmia encountered in general practice and is a major risk factor for stroke, contributing to 1 in 5 strokes. Many people do not know they have the condition as not everyone experiences symptoms. Across London it has been estimated that 68,000 people are living with AF undetected.  AF can easily be detected by pulse checks and the risk of stroke reduced by starting appropriate treatment strategies.
  • Alivecor: One of 26 innovations on the NHS Innovation Accelerator (NIA), AliveCor’s Kardia Mobile ECG instantly analyses and interprets heart recordings, identifying AF – a leading cause of stroke.
  • Hashtag: #HeartRhythmWeek.