THE Journal of the American Heart Association's Circulation has called for governments worldwide to introduce screening for Atrial Fibrillation (AF) in all people aged 65 years and over, including the possibility of screening being part of pharmacy's service.
With AF responsible for as many as one third of all strokes, 27% of AF-related strokes (amounting to 10% of all strokes) are not detected prior to stroke because AF is often asymptomatic, the report noted.
"Screening can be run through GPs, pharmacies or in the community, and carried out with manual pulse rhythm checks or with a handheld mobile ECG device, the best tool for rapidly offering a firm AF diagnosis," according to Arrhythmia Alliance ceo and founder Trudie Lobban.
Professor Richard Schilling, Arrhythmia Alliance medical director, added that oral anticoagulants can greatly reduce the risk of AF-related stroke.
Go to afscreen.org for the report.
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