Check your pulse to stave off stroke

November 16, 2009 06:23 pm | Updated November 17, 2021 06:50 am IST - London

CHECK YOUR PULSE TOO: Collapsible multi-utility piece - a hi-tech treadmill that documents every inch of your movements, converting it into pulse rate, calories burnt and plummeting cholesterol levels.File Photo: R. M. Rajarathinam

CHECK YOUR PULSE TOO: Collapsible multi-utility piece - a hi-tech treadmill that documents every inch of your movements, converting it into pulse rate, calories burnt and plummeting cholesterol levels.File Photo: R. M. Rajarathinam

Experts have urged people to check their pulse for atrial fibrillation, a condition that might cause stroke.

Atrial fibrillation is characterised by an abnormal heart rhythm.

A survey involving over 2000 people showed that while 57pct of the respondents were far more likely to check their passport expiry date, only 32pct checked their pulse.

In addition only 28pct of the people knew taking their pulse was a health check they should carry out on themselves.

The British Heart Foundation has launched a dedicated phone line and new area of its website (bhf.org.uk/pulse) so people can hear examples of regular and irregular heartbeats, and get advice on how to take their pulse.

“Atrial fibrillation is a heart condition that can be easily detected and treated,” the Telegraph quoted Dr. Mike Knapton, Associate Medical Director at the BHF, as saying.

“We urge all local health authorities to build a simple pulse test into heart health screening initiatives and other health checks, as the 60 seconds it takes could really help find people at a heightened risk of a stroke,” Knapton added.

0 / 0
Sign in to unlock member-only benefits!
  • Access 10 free stories every month
  • Save stories to read later
  • Access to comment on every story
  • Sign-up/manage your newsletter subscriptions with a single click
  • Get notified by email for early access to discounts & offers on our products
Sign in

Comments

Comments have to be in English, and in full sentences. They cannot be abusive or personal. Please abide by our community guidelines for posting your comments.

We have migrated to a new commenting platform. If you are already a registered user of The Hindu and logged in, you may continue to engage with our articles. If you do not have an account please register and login to post comments. Users can access their older comments by logging into their accounts on Vuukle.