Know your pulse

A new nationwide campaign has been launched today to encourage the British public to 'know their pulse' to help prevent deaths from cardiac arrhythmias. Launched as part of Arrhythmia Awareness Week 2009, the 'Know Your Pulse’ initiative aims to help people understand that the pulse is the most effective way of identifying potential cardiac arrhythmias.

Cardiac arrhythmia - abnormal electrical activity in the heart which affects the way the heart beats - is the number one killer in the UK. More than two million people in the UK have an arrhythmia and it affects people of any age. Untreated, arrhythmia can lead to sudden cardiac arrest, stroke and loss of consciousness.

Arrhythmia Awareness Week runs from 8 to 14 June 2009. The national campaign aims to raise awareness and promote better understanding of arrhythmic conditions. The Arrhythmia Alliance, the organisation behind the campaign, encourages regular routine pulse checks as exist for blood pressure and weight.

Trudie Lobban, Trustee and Founder of the Arrhythmia Alliance, said of the campaign: “Finding out about arrhythmias early could improve a patient's chance of finding a successful treatment and could save their life. That is why the Arrhythmia Alliance encourages regular routine pulse checks as exist for blood pressure and weight.”

An arrhythmia is when the heart occasionally or consistently beats too quickly, too slowly, abnormally or irregularly. Cardiac arrhythmias vary widely in type and severity. Once diagnosed, cardiac arrhythmias can usually be treated effectively with drugs, devices, surgery or a combination of these approaches.

Tony Blair, former Prime Minister and patron of the Arrhythmia Alliance, is supporting the campaign. He says, "The cut and thrust of politics can certainly make the heart beat faster. But in my case it wasn't a tough political decision, I had a potentially dangerous heart rhythm problem which fortunately was picked up early and treated effectively. The 'Know your Pulse' campaign provides a tremendous way for everyone to keep track of their own body and identify the early warning signs of a racing or irregular heart rate. I urge everyone to download the how-to guide from knowyourpulse.org."

For more information visit knowyourpulse.org.