Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common cardiac arrhythmia and is a major cause of stroke. People with AF have five times the risk of a stroke compared to those with a normal heart rhythm. AF is responsible for around 20-25% of all strokes in the UK and these strokes tend to be more severe.
At Imperial College Health Partners we have been working closely with the North West London ICB to support primary care to proactively manage their AF patients through the Innovation for Healthcare Inequalities Programme (InHIP) AF project .
The programme is nationally funded by NHS England and is running until December 2023 to help the ICB tackle health inequalities for patients in NWL with AF.
Our support focuses on three areas:
1. Detection
Finding new previously undiagnosed cases of irregular heart rhythm caused by AF in the community e.g. through opportunistic health checks, using a manual pulse check or an AF digital detection device.
2. Protection
Reviewing patients with a diagnosis of AF, assessing their risk of stroke and treating with anticoagulant medicines (DOACs or Warfarin) to protect from AF-related stroke
3. Perfection
Optimising anticoagulant medicines, ensuring correct dosing, patient education and adherence to treatment and self-monitoring, to reduce risk of adverse events such as bleeding. Patients may be supported in monitoring their treatment (e.g. INR if on Warfarin) by their GP practice or anticoagulation service.
Explore our AF resources
