Priya Ramanah, Innovation Advisor at Imperial College Health Partners, talks about our plans for global AF Aware Week (20-26 November)….
Londoners are being invited to take a free, 30-second pulse check during global AF Aware 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).
Atrial Fibrillation (AF) is the most common heart rhythm disorder and is a major risk factor for stroke. Over 150,000 Londoners are known to be affected by AF and an additional 60,000 are undiagnosed.
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.
Mayor of London Sadiq Khan has urged Londoners to do the simple check after he himself had a test in advance of AF Aware Week.
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Free pulse checks across North West London.
Together with local partners, we have organised a series of free drop in pulse checks across North West London in Hillingdon, Hounslow, Ealing and Hammersmith and Fulham. All visitors will be screened, free of charge, either manually or with a mobile ECG device which can detect within thirty seconds whether they have AF. The screening events will help identify those people with AF, and encourage them to see their GP to get checked out and see whether they need anti-coagulant medication. The screening test will be particularly crucial for those aged over 65, and we’re urging all attendees to spread the word with their friends and family, and encourage them to get their pulse checked with their GP when they can.
Our free screening checks will take place at the following times and locations:
Monday 20th November – Tesco Superstore Dukes Green Avenue, Feltham TW14 0LH, 2-4pm
Thursday 23rd November – Mansell Road Practice, Greenford Middlesex, 10am- 11am
Friday 24th November – Hammersmith & Fulham Parkview Health & Wellbeing Centre, White City, London W12 7FG, 10-12pm
We look forward to hopefully seeing you at one of our drop in sessions! For more information about them, please contact me on priya.ramanah@imperialcollegehealthpartners.com
Other London events
Our activity is part of a wider drive to detect AF across London being led by the three AHSNs as part of global AF Aware Week. Free pulse check events will be held across the capital from 20-26 November, to help people discover whether they have a irregular heartbeat and need further medical advice. Londoners are being encouraged to spread the word about irregular heartbeats and urge friends and family – particularly those aged over 65 – to check their pulse and see a GP if it is irregular. Read more information about events across London here.
