Global AF Awareness Week 2017
Atrial Fibrillation (AF) affects over one million people in the UK alone and experts expect this figure to increase two-fold by the year 2050.
This week from the 20th to the 26th November, the Detect, Protect, Correct & Perfect campaign aims to encourage everyone to check their pulse and recognise abnormalities in the hope that undiagnosed AF sufferers will discover the heart rhythm disorder and seek help.
Detect AF by a simple pulse check
Protect against AF-related stroke using anticoagulation therapy (not aspirin)
Correct the irregular rhythm with access to appropriate treatment
Perfect the patient care pathway
The organisers of Global AF Awareness Week ask visitors to their website to become a ‘friend’ of the Arrhythmia Alliance, sign their AF screening pledge. and order t-shirts and collection boxes from their online store in order to help supporters arrange fundraisers.
Arrhythmia Alliance have provided some stats which you may find interesting:
- One in four people will develop AF; it affects an estimated 1.5 million across the UK and in excess of 16 million worldwide.
- AF can be detected cheaply and easily with a simple manual pulse check.
- Every 15 seconds someone suffers an AF-related stroke, yet most can be prevented using appropriate anticoagulation therapy.
- AF, and AF related illness, costs the NHS over £2.2 billion each year
Learning Zones
The Learning Zones are an educational resource for healthcare professionals that provide medical information on the epidemiology, pathophysiology and burden of disease, as well as diagnostic techniques and treatment regimens.
4 mins