Atrial Fibrillation (AF) is the most common heart rhythm disturbance. There are over 1 million people with AF in the UK and it is more common in older people but almost half are not receiving the most appropriate treatment (Stroke Association)
East Devon Health will be running a project to improve the detection of AF by opportunistic pulse checks to reduce the risk of strokes.
Working within our federation practices the project will endeavour to ensure every opportunity will be taken to identify AF in any patient that attends the practice who may be considered high risk.
We will also work with practices to regularly review their patients who are known to have AF patients to ensure they are on the most optimal medication for them.
In addition the project will be delivering opportunistic testing events at local venues offering blood pressure and pulse check testing to identify patients who may have unidentified AF.
More information on the condition of AF can be found here:
https://www.stroke.org.uk/what-is-stroke/are-you-at-risk-of-stroke/atrial-fibrillation
https://www.bhf.org.uk/heart-health/conditions/atrial-fibrillation