This Stroke Prevention Day, the Stroke Association along with BBC Morning Live’s Dr Punam Krishan are calling for people to check for a ‘silent condition’ which is one of the leading causes of strokes.
This comes after a survey revealed a lack of awareness between the link of this condition and stroke.
An estimated half a million individuals are currently living with undiagnosed atrial fibrillation (AF), where the heart beats with an irregular rhythm. A consequence of this condition is that the heart won’t empty all of the blood out of its chambers with every beat and the leftover blood can form clots which travel to the brain, blocking blood flow and causing a stroke.
A survey conducted by the Stroke Association to mark Stroke Prevention Day (14th January) revealed that close to three in four people (73 per cent) did not know that AF is a major cause of stroke.
One in five strokes are linked to AF, which is an estimated 40 strokes per day. Furthermore, strokes in people with AF are more severe and are more likely to result in death or serious disability.
Juliet Bouverie OBE, chief executive of the Stroke Association, says: “It’s worrying that so few people know that a little thing like how your heart beats can lead to a massive stroke.
“AF often has no symptoms and a stroke can strike without warning. Don’t let the first sign of your AF be a sudden and life-changing stroke. With early diagnosis and effective management of AF, your risk of a stroke dramatically decreases so it’s vital to get checked regularly.
“It’s really easy to check your own pulse and our research told us that most people are able to. Feel for your pulse on your wrist or neck to make sure it has a regular beat. If you suspect you have an irregular pulse, contact your GP practice.”
The survey further revealed that:
- Six in ten (62 per cent) said they had never checked themselves for AF
- Almost half (44 per cent) said they had never been checked for AF by a healthcare professional
- More than eight in ten (83 per cent) said they would be likely to seek medical advice if they felt something was wrong with the rhythm of their heartbeat/pulse
- 55 per cent said they knew someone who had had a stroke
- 26 per cent knew someone who had had AF
The charity has a video guide on its website, which shows people how they can check their own pulse on their wrist or neck.
Andrea’s story
Andrea Outram, 70, from Sunderland, has made it her life’s mission to raise awareness of the connection between AF and stroke, following her stroke in 2007. While Andrea was a nurse at the time, she and colleagues weren’t even aware that AF was a risk factor for stroke.
Andrea, who friends and colleagues have dubbed, “the Queen of AF” thought she was going to die or be left paralysed following her stroke at the age of 54, which also left her unable to speak for many months. Thankfully Thrombolysis, which was revolutionary at the time, and sheer determination from Andrea meant she was able to return to work and help spread awareness of AF – in and out of work.
Andrea says: “I honestly thought my life was finished. In fact, I think without the thrombolysis I wouldn’t be here today. I never even thought about AF as a risk factor, we never taught about it as student nurses, now I make sure everyone knows about it.”
Remarkably, Andrea was able to return to work for over 13 years following her stroke. It was then that she took it upon herself to make others aware of the signs of AF and to get themselves checked out. Andrea spread the word about AF in hospital – even sending patients with asthma or breathing difficulties to have their heart rates checked. She also attends universities to talk to medical students about it and share her experience and ran a stroke support group for the Stroke Association for over eight years.
Andrea says: “Spreading the word is so important to me. I attend universities to talk to medical students and talk about the things I was never taught as a student. With stroke survivors and others we share different scenarios about AF and stroke and offer our own experiences too.”
“My mission has always been to make more people aware. I’m a walking notice board for AF – in fact if you’re in a que with me I’ll probably talk to you about it. With my patients in the past, I’ve took one look at them and knew straight away they have AF and I know this has saved lives.”
Dr Punam Krishan, a Glasgow GP and presenter on BBC Morning Live, says: “The good news is that if AF is identified it can be managed really easily.
“If you’ve got AF, you might be given anticoagulant medication to reduce your risk of stroke by making a clot less likely to form, or you might be able to have a one-time electric pulse to get your heart beating regularly.
“The most important thing is to check yourself and contact your GP practice if you think you might have AF. It’s so much better to get your AF sorted before it becomes a problem. Get it checked for your own health and for the sake of your loved ones.”
Trudie Lobban MBE, founder of the AF Association, says: “The AF Association welcomes Stroke Prevention Day to help detect more people living with AF, yet to be diagnosed.
“Raising awareness of the importance of pulse checks is key to detecting the irregular heart rhythm and leading to more people being diagnosed and receiving appropriate anticoagulation therapy to reduce their risk of an AF-related stroke.
“It is good to see the Stroke Association encouraging the public to be pulse aware to know their heart rhythm – this can save so many from the devastation that strokes can cause, it can even save lives.”
