About Heart Rhythm Week
From 21st-27th May 2012 Arrhythmia Alliance will be holding its annual Heart Rhythm Week which gives anyone the opportunity to raise awareness and promote better understanding of heart rhythm disorders. This year, the theme of patient empowerment, Your Heart in Your Hands, aims to encourage members of the public to recognise symptoms of heart rhythm disorders and advise when they should seek further advice from a healthcare professional.
The first 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.
Heart Rhythm Week 2012 - Your Heart in Your Hands
For Heart Rhythm Week 2012, Arrhythmia Alliance and its members will be promoting the importance of patient empowerment. Those taking part in the week will be encouraged to organise awareness activities that help people with symptoms of a heart rhythm disorder access the appropriate information and support from a healthcare professional.
Aims of the week:
1. Promote greater awareness of the symptoms of heart rhythm disorders and how they can affect people of all ages and backgrounds
2. Encourage members of the public to recognise the symptoms of heart rhythm disorders, and when they should seek further advice from a healthcare professional
3. Provide the tools for patients and doctors to work together for the correct diagnosis, treatment and management of a heart rhythm disorder
Key Messages:
1. Your Heart in Your Hands, a new public campaign, calls for greater public awareness of the symptoms of heart rhythm disorders
2. If you are experiencing unexplained faints, palpitations or shortness of breath, seek advice from a medical professional, with the support of our Heart Rhythm Checklist
3. 1 in 4 of people aged 40 years or older will develop a heart rhythm disorder
What does Heart Rhythm Week involve?
- Raising awareness by holding awareness events such as Pulse Check Clinics and Cardiac Cafes, where members of the public can learn more about the symptoms of heart rhythm disorders and when to seek further advice from a healthcare professional
- Community education and fundraising events
- Highlighting local activities and events to the media
- Providing Awareness Packs for people to spread the word about heart rhythm disorders in their community
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