'500 Bradford people living with heart timebomb' warning (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Health chiefs issue appeal as figures are revealed on sufferers of irregular heartbeat

8:54am Monday 6th June 2011 in Health News By Claire Lomax

More than 500 people in the Bradford district are living with a potentially-fatal “ticking timebomb” which puts them at risk of a sudden cardiac arrest, heart attack or stroke.

A total of 6,400 people across the district have been diagnosed with ‘Atrial Fibrillation’ (AF), but there are believed to be around a further 500 people with the condition who have not been diagnosed.

AF is an irregular heart-beat and is one of the most common heart rhythm disturbances encountered by doctors.

The chance of having AF increases markedly as you get older. Approximately 1,200 emergency admissions are due to AF each year, a significant proportion of which are due to a stroke.

NHS Bradford and Airedale is now asking GP practices across the district to support Heart Rhythm Awareness week, which runs from today to June 12. The campaign aims to raise awareness about the importance of simple pulse checks, as a means of identifying potential heart rhythm disorders.

Leaflets and checklists will be available in all GP practices for people to use.

Further advice and information can be found at the Arrhythmia Alliance at www.heartrhythmcharity.org.uk

• Read the full story in Monday's T&A