'Know Your Pulse' 2010

A-A is working to ensure routine procedural pulse checks in GP surgeries.  Following the success of Awareness Week 2009, A-A has decided to continue the 'Know Your Pulse' theme for AAAW 2010. The campaign aims to raise public and medical awareness of the pulse as a means of identifying potential cardiac arrhythmias, and A-A is working to ensure that pulse checks become a routine procedure when someone visits their GP surgery.

During AAAW 2009, 72% of supporters held display stands and pulse check sessions to educate thousands of people on knowing their pulse. The simple health check procedure helped to diagnose people across the country with potentially fatal heart rhythm disorders.

The Pulse Check Card

The leading tool for the 'Know Your Pulse' campaign is the Pulse Check Card. In 2009, more than 250,000 cards were posted across the UK, and thousands more distributed by individual organisations worldwide. This public educational tool includes guidance on what the pulse is, what it means, when people should take their pulse and a table where individuals can record the results over a seven day period and seek further advice from their GP, if required. 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 and abroad...

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.