'Know Your Pulse' campaign

A-A is working to ensure routine procedural pulse checks in GP surgeries.  For the past two years, A-A has promoted the 'Know Your Pulse' theme during the annual Arrhythmia Awareness Week. The aim is to raise public and medical awareness of the pulse as a means of identifying potential cardiac arrhythmias.

The Pulse Check Card

The leading tool for the 'Know Your Pulse' campaign is the Pulse Check Card. This public self-educational tool includes guidance on what the pulse is, what it means, when people should take it, and what pulse rates require further investigation from a GP. The Pulse Check Card is suitable for all individuals with an interest in their personal health.

Checking your pulse is as important as seeing how much you weigh or checking your blood pressure. Make sure you know your pulse.

The Pulse Check Card is available to download from www.knowyourpulse.org

People are learning to 'Know their Pulse' across the UK.

Staff at the Council Health and Fitness Development section of Blackburn and Darwen Borough Council have palpated over 300 pulses, distributed leaflets and posters and generally raised the profile of the 'Know Your Pulse' campaign. Out of the 300 pulse checks recorded, five irregular pulses were detected and these individuals were referred to their GP's.

A similar activity was hosted by the Wychbury Medical Group Patients Forum where two patients were referred to their GPs with indications of arrhythmia, at least five patients showed signs of arrhythmia and were further tested using an ECG monitor and one individual was referred to the hospital for further testing. These are two examples of hundreds of activities taking place throughout the country.

Another evidenced example of the 'Know Your Pulse' campaign was in one area of the southeast where those receiving flu jabs were screened. Resultantly, an ECG was required in 9.2% of all people screened. Previously unknown arrhythmias were found in 16% of the ECG population and Atrial Fibrillation was detected in 6% of the assessed patients (0.55% of the total population screened).

Each of these activities has contributed to greater public and medical awareness, leading to potential cases of diagnosis and treatment for cardiac arrhythmias.

But, there is still more to be done!!! By making pulse checks routine procedure when someone visits their GP, more people will be diagnosed and treated for cardiac arrhythmias. You can help to achieve this goal by supporting the ongoing 'Know Your Pulse' campaign. No effort is too small. Order your materials now to help raise awareness in your community.