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Londoners urged to #knowyourpulse with 60,000 in capital at risk of stroke

20 November 2017

Londoners are being invited to take a free, 30 second pulse check during Global Atrial Fibrillation (AF) Aware Week (20-26 November). It is estimated that 60,000 people in the capital are at risk and a simple check could prolong or even save their life.

AF is the most common heart rhythm disorder (arrhythmia) with over one million people diagnosed with AF in the UK alone, although experts estimate that at least a third more remain undiagnosed. Heart rhythm disorders happen when a heart rhythm is too fast, too slow, or jumping around (irregular).

A simple check using an unobtrusive mobile device identifies if individuals are suffering from a heart rhythm disorder. The mobile ECG quickly checks the heart rhythm and confirms if it is normal, if atrial fibrillation is suspected, or if the results need further discussion with a GP.

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan has urged Londoners to do the simple check after he himself had a test in advance of AF Aware Week.

Global AF Aware Week

From Monday 20 November to Sunday 26 November a unique partnership between London’s Academic Health Science Networks (including UCLPartners), North Thames Clinical Research Network and Arrhythmia Alliance, is offering Londoners a free 30-second check to assess their heart rhythm in a community setting.

Across UCLPartners, teams will be offering patients and members of the public a free test using a mobile ECG device, which instantly analyses and interprets heart recordings. This gives the maximum opportunity to diagnose atrial fibrillation and those attending the check will also learn about the link between atrial fibrillation and stroke, how to stay healthy, and how to check their own pulse.

Charles Knight, Managing Director of St Bartholomew’s Hospital, said:

“It’s fantastic that technology is now so advanced that we can test people so quickly and simply. This gives us the opportunity to identify any problems at an early stage, and offer support and treatment that could change their lives. St Bartholomew’s is one of the world’s leading cardiac centres and I’m delighted that we’re at the forefront of this work.”

Details of free AF Awareness Week events across London can be found below

North east and north central London

Organisations across UCLPartners will be offering patients and members of the public a free pulse check using a mobile ECG device which instantly analyses and interprets heart recordings:

Monday 20 November – Friday 24 November
Barts Heart Centre, West Smithfield, London, EC1A 7BE, 9.30am – 5pm

Thursday 23 November
Karamsar Gurdwara (Temple) Ilford, 400 High Road, Ilford IG1 1TL, 10am – 3pm

Monday 20 November, Wednesday 22 November, Friday 24 November
Moorfields Eye Hospital, EC1V 2PD, 9.30am-3pm

Thursday 23 November
UCLPartners, 170 Tottenham Court Road, W1T 7HA, 1-2pm

South London

Health Innovation Network and its partners will be offering free manual or mobile ECG pulse rhythm checks to test for AF:

Monday 20 November
Erith Health Centre, 50 Pier Rd, Erith, DA8 1RQ 9.30-2.30pm

Tuesday 23 November
Outside Costa Coffee, Croydon University Hospital, 530 London Road, CR7 7YE 12-2pm
Central Hall, St Thomas’ Hospital, Westminster Bridge Rd, SE1 7EH 9am-1pm
Rushey Green Pharmacy, The primary Care Centre, Hawstead Road, SE6 4JH 9.30am-5pm

Wednesday 24 November
Outside Costa Coffee Shop, Croydon University Hospital, 530 London Road, CR7 7YE 9am-12pm
Leegate Pharmacy, 334 Lee High Road, SE13 5PJ 9am-5.30pm

Thursday 23 November
Rushey Green Pharmacy, The primary Care Centre, Hawstead Road, SE6 4JH 9.30am-5pm
University Hospital Lewisham Main Entrance, Lewisham High Street, SE13 6LH 1pm-3pm
Leegate Pharmacy, 334 Lee High Road, SE13 5PJ 9am-5.30pm

Friday 24 November
University Hospital Lewisham Main Entrance, Lewisham High Street, SE13 6LH 1-3pm

West London

Led by Imperial College Health Partners, staff and clinicians will be carrying out free pulse checks for patients and members of the public at the following times and locations. The checks will be carried out using a mobile ECG device which instantly analyses and interprets heart recordings:

Monday 20 November
Hounslow Tesco Superstore (Dukes Green Avenue, Feltham) 2pm-4pm

Wednesday 22 November
Hillingdon Hospital canteen 11am-1pm

Friday 24 November
Hammersmith & Fulham Parkview Health & Wellbeing Centre, Bloemfontein Rd, White City, London 10-12pm