Cardiac physiologists from the Royal United Hospital will be in Frome later this month offering free information and advice about atrial fibrillation, a heart condition that causes an irregular heart beat.
Visitors to the event will also be able to have their heart rate checked with a mobile heart monitor.
Helen Hodgson, RUH said “We will be offering information and advice to raise awareness of the condition, as well as the importance of having symptoms checked out. The Friends of Frome Hospital have kindly awarded us funds to purchase a mobile heart monitor, enabling us to offer an on-the-spot ECG which we can email to a GP, if required.
“Atrial fibrillation is the most common heart rhythm disturbance with its prevalence set to rise considerably in the coming years. If left untreated it can put patients at risk of having a stroke and serious illness. It is predominantly considered to be a condition of the elderly, due to the ageing population, however it is also on the increase in young people and those who take vigorous exercise.
“Although most patients are identified because they have symptoms, AF may be asymptomatic and sometimes first diagnosed when patients present with a stroke. Therefore, opportunist pulse checks are vital.
“The event is, of course, free and will take place on Saturday 25th November between 11am and 4pm. We will be located on the Westway precinct next to Ellenbray toy shop and the bridge leading to the library.”
The pulse check event in Frome is part of a global atrial fibrillation (AF) awareness campaign which runs from 20th to 26th November, organised by the Atrial Fibrillation Association. Find out more about the campaign at www.heartrhythmalliance.org/afa/uk/af-aware-week
