About Arrhythmia Awareness Week (AAAW)
Arrhythmia Awareness Week is a national campaign which gives anyone with an interest in heart rhythm disorders, their symptoms and effects, the opportunity to raise awareness and promote better understanding of arrhythmic conditions.
The first Arrhythmia Awareness Week was held in 2004 following the formation of an alliance between charitable organisations with a common interest in arrhythmias. This group successfully lobbied for a new Chapter on Arrhythmias and Sudden Cardiac Death in the National Service Framework (NSF) for Coronary Heart Disease, which was published in 2005.
Arrhythmia Alliance (A-A) became a registered charity following the first Awareness Week to ensure that the Quality Requirements for diagnosis, treatment, care and support as written in the Chapter would be implemented across England.
AAAW 2010
A-A is working to ensure routine procedural pulse checks in GP surgeries
AAAW 2010 will mark the seventh Arrhythmia Awareness Week and will focus on the message ‘Know Your Pulse’ - one of the easiest ways to detect a potential heart rhythm disorder.
The campaign has arisen from the fact that many people are unaware that pulse checks are an effective method of detecting heart problems early, and in turn improve the chances of swift diagnosis and treatment; and many more are unsure of how to check their pulse correctly, and when pulse rates may need further investigation. 'Know Your Pulse' aims to address the number of cardiac arrhythmias that lie undetected. This is why A-A is working to ensure routine procedural pulse checks in GP surgeries.
Aims of the week:
- To promote the importance of procedural pulse checks when a patient visits their GP surgery
- Make pulse checks procedural when a patient visits their GP surgery
- Encourage and inform the general public to check their pulse as part of their regular health regime
- Raise public and medical awareness and education of the pulse as a means of identifying potential cardiac arrhythmias
What will the week involve?
- Parliamentary Launch and Exhibition Stand at the House of Commons
- Political and medical lobbying activities
- Work with medical professionals to build evidence for the benefits of population screening through pulse checks
- Broad dissemination of educational literature and promotional items including the Pulse Check Card
- Awareness-raising activities such as pulse check sessions and cardiac cafes, to educate the public on this simple health check procedure
- Promote evidence to support the benefits of population screening through pulse checks
There are many ways in which you can get involved and help raise awareness of heart rhythm disorders during AAAW 2010
How can you get involved?
Having an Awareness Week to focus on heart rhythm disorders means that efforts are concentrated and a larger impact is made. However, you can help to raise awareness of cardiac arrhythmias at any time during the year.
A-A encourages and support national and local groups to execute awareness-raising events under the theme of ‘Know Your Pulse’. Participants are encouraged to hold awareness displays and events, distribute information materials, and participate in lobbying and media activities.