AAP Newswire
06-Oct-2010
National
By: AAP
Market: Australia
Frequency: MTWTFSS
FED:What is your pulse telling you?
Eds: Embargoed to 0001 AEDT Wednesday, October 6
By Danny Rose, Medical Writer
SYDNEY, Oct 6 AAP - A poll of older Australians has revealed a widespread lack of awareness of a
condition that dramatically increases the risk of stroke and heart disease.
The research showed almost half (47 per cent) of those polled had not heard of atrial fibrillation, and
yet
two-thirds reported they had health conditions that were its warning signs.
Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the erratic triggering of the upper chambers of the heart, resulting in less
efficient
blood circulation, and the risk of heart failure and stroke increasing three-fold and seven-fold,
respectively.
"Atrial fibrillation is now a very common condition with one in five at risk of developing AF during their
life," said Professor Ben Freedman, a cardiologist at Concord Hospital and deputy dead of the Sydney
Medical School at the University of Sydney.
"Unfortunately, the community is largely unaware of AF or the conditions that predispose to it."
The national poll of 300 Australians aged over 65, conducted by Newspoll, found 66 per cent had
conditions that predisposed them to AF including obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure,
cardiovascular
disease and previous stroke.
It also found 31 per cent admitted to feeling an irregular heartbeat at times, while about the same
number also reported shortness of breath due to reasons other than exercise.
Almost all (90 per cent) agreed having an irregular heartbeat was a "serious condition".
"Due to this low level of awareness, the condition may go untreated leading to a substantial number of
hospitalisations for AF and its potentially fatal complications," Prof Freedman said.
He said hospital admissions for AF-related conditions increased almost 70 per cent over the past
decade
- to 47,000 cases a year - amid an overall 10 per cent rise in all cases of cardiovascular disease.
Being overweight and having excessive salt, alcohol and caffeine in the diet are lifestyle factors that
can
contribute to AF, while there is also a simple way to check for the condition.
"Checking your own pulse is easy and can diagnose an irregular heartbeat," Prof Freedman said.
"People are not aware that simply checking their own pulse could lead to a diagnosis of AF and
treatment which could save their life or prevent a stroke."
Anyone concerned about AF or their pulse rate should speak to their GP.
AAP dr/jhp/apm