The heart and stroke charity Croí is launching a campaign to raise public awareness of atrial fibrillation, a condition which is known to be one of the main causes of stroke, but which can be detected by means of a simple pulse check. Once diagnosed, more often than not, atrial fibrillation can be treated thus preventing a stroke or heart failure.
Atrial fibrillation, or AF, is the name for a type of irregular heartbeat, which if it goes undiagnosed can lead to serious complications such as a devastating stroke or heart failure. The condition is very often a feature of ageing and is more common in people over the age of 65.
Announcing details of the awareness initiative, Croí’s prevention nurse lead, Irene Gibson, outlined the importance of having your pulse checked as you get older. “One of the ways of diagnosing atrial fibrillation is by simply checking for an irregular pulse,” she said. “Many people are unaware that they have atrial fibrillation until they suffer a stroke. The most devastating strokes are caused by atrial fibrillation and these could be prevented by simple awareness and regular pulse checking.”
As part of World Heart Rhythm Awareness Week which takes place from June 1 to June 7, Croí is providing a number of free public pulse checks in various locations throughout the west of Ireland. People in Galway can avail of a free pulse check on Tuesday June 3 from 12noon to 5pm at Galway Shopping Centre and on Wednesday June 4 from 2pm to 6pm in the Croí Heart & Stroke Centre, Moyola Lane, Newcastle.
Also on Wednesday June 4, stroke expert, Professor Martin O’Donnell will give a free public talk at 7.30pm in the Croí Heart & Stroke Centre on the ‘Prevention and Management of Atrial Fibrillation’.
As places are limited for this talk, early booking is advisable by contacting Croí on (091 ) 544310.
