Many of us put off going to see a doctor for a variety of reasons.

Some of us may not want to take up our GP’s time if we don’t feel too unwell, while others might be worried about what a visit to the doctor might reveal.

But with experts saying 500 people in Bradford may be unwittingly living with a silent illness that could put them at severe risk of a stroke or heart attack, there’s never been a better time to get yourself checked out.

Atrial Fibrillation is the medical name for an irregular heartbeat, and can be detected by a simple pulse check.

Instances of abnormal heart rhythm are on the increase, and it can lead to a sudden cardiac arrest – the number one killer in the UK today.

GPs are being asked to support a campaign in what is Heart Rhythm Awareness Week to get as many people checked out as possible.

We can all do our bit, as well, by making sure that if we’re visiting our doctor in the near future we ask for a pulse check as a matter of course.

And if anyone is nursing fears that something might be amiss with their pulse or heartbeat, now is the time to bite the bullet and make an appointment.

It will take just minutes for your GP to take your pulse, but the effects of catching symptoms early if you are one of the 500 out there could make a difference to the rest of your life.