Atrial Fibrillation Association welcomes latest research from AFFECT-EU confirming that simple pulse check for AF should be offered routinely.
Founder Trudie Lobban was a member of this research group sharing results from our #KnowYourPulse campaign.
Read more: heartrhythmalliance.org/afa...
Yes a few years ago we campaigned for pulse checks at all GP appointments and or flu jab clinics. We are still waiting but I understand GPs do have to have a register of patents with AF now.
Once when I was working in the USA I became ill. Went to the Doc who was looking after us and as soon as I went into his office a nurse took blood tests and checked heart. Actaally years ago I rememeber it being done more often here too as does my wife but she doesn't think any Doc - other than hospital has taken her pulse for decades. There is now a monitor in our Docs surgery and some people are sent to it before seeing the Doc - Neither my wife nor I have been.
Quick, simple, low cost - what’s not to like? Only downside is asymptomatic people being upset by finding out they have a ‘heart condition’ and demanding expensive interventions 😂
When I lived in the US it was standard practice to have your BP taken every time you go to the doctor, whatever the reason you're there. I'm not a fan of the American healthcare system but this one assessment seems like a no brainer to me. It takes seconds, it's free and it's a very good way of keeping an eye on what's baseline for a patient and any changes. Over here (in the UK) you might go for decades without having your BP (and therefore, pulse) taken!
My BP is taken at every visit from blood draw to exam but don’t know if that’s regular practice or just because I have multiple conditions.
Last time a GP took my pulse manually was back in 2005 & I remember because I went in because of ‘palpitations’. GP unable to find my pulse manually so asked me to drum on the table the rhythm 🥁🌝
Bob would have said use a stethoscope!
Possibly due to your other conditions? Or perhaps you're just lucky! I've had my BP taken maybe twice in 20 years in several different surgeries.
My surgery is BP balmy, and continually ask patients for BP readings, chase them if you don't provide them, and do them if you go in.
There is currently a drive in the UK for people to go to the pharmacy and request a BP check. It's free and the results are sent to your GP if you give your consent for sharing. Anyone can do it.
My pharmacy asked if I would like mine checked whilst I waited for a prescription. It's a service that's always available but the drive is to make people aware of it. There are adverts on TV for it.
Oh, interesting. My chemist has been harrassing me to have my BP taken but I have my own BP machine and take my BP regularly so I declined. Good that they're doing that.
I check my BP occasionally and on collecting my prescription was asked by my pharmacist if I wanted my BP checked. Luckily I had taken a photo of my reading and could show him 😆
Totally agree - a few seconds' work each time.
The trick is to get your pulse anywhere near a doctor - today was my 6th morning dialling for 40 to 45 minutes each time to try to get a GP appointment - again without getting through. ☹️
Write to the practice manager asking why they haven’t had a call queuing system installed.
We had thought of speaking to the practice manager as the whole system is flawed and the receptionists take the brunt of patient's frustration. I think they might have some form of queue, as once the call goes through, then there is a wait for someone to answer (I think that's their queue). Awful - I'm driving in to the clinic at 8.30am tomorrow - probably will find a human queue out into the carpark.
When our GP practice is busy you have to listen to a little recorded monologue by someone who sounds about 14 basically trying to put you off and reminding you to be kind to the receptionist and if you pass that test you are told where you are in the queue and offered the option of a callback. Works brilliantly.
Our practice has a call back service which is excellent. You don't have to wait in a queue. Maybe suggest this?
Going to my Surgery didn't work for me as I was told when I tried that no appointments are made by Admin staff in person. Doh!🤔
I was told the only access to appointments was via an eConsult, but wasn't then told that the eConsult had closed for the day because it had reached it's limit (as it quickly does each day). So no phone queues, but a race to get accepted before the eConsult limit is reached (if you are lucky enough to have access to the internet at 8am). And then there's the "irritatingly small and effectively useless" box asking me to describe my symptoms.
"Angry and frustrated" would be the most accurate reply there! 😠
Our system is similar but less efficient - appointments are via phone consult with a GP and the race starts each morning at 8.30am, with the lucky few getting a ring tone to ask for a consult - everyone else engaged tone - drive you nuts. (Internet hasn't yet been invented.) 😂
Went this morning and was slightly concerned that an 'in person' request for appointment wouldn't be accepted. It was and I'm now waiting for a call back.
Having said all that, serious symptoms are treated immediately and efficiently - IF the phone isn't busy.
Glad you got "sorted".
I'm very pleased to be able to avoid all appointment telephone queues as I have to pay 35p/min for that pleasure (with '3'), and also being tortured with muzac at the same time. 🤔
And while I don't have any internet connection myself, I am very fortunate that my neighbour took pity(?) on her elderly neighbour and allowed me to use her wifi, and still does. Her wifi is only strong enough to reach into my adjacent kitchen, but good enough for my 8am eConsults. Her generosity has been a godsend.
👍👍🙏🙏👏👏
Tracy a great initiative to get GP’s to do this routinely. I remember when I was in my 20’s and 30’s my original GP would check my pulse and blood pressure every time I went in even for a sore throat!
My GP takes my pulse at my routine visit every six months
I’ve had about a dozen appointments for various reasons with my GP over the last seven years . Roughly half have been over the telephone ( decided by the receptionist) and the rest face to face . On not one occasion did he put his hands on me even with stomach pains . It’s probably down to the individual doctor but it’s so easy to just offer a prescription. If I hadn't been persistent and determined It would have taken much longer to diagnose my AF . He even tried to tell me I’d jumped the queue by seeing a cardiologist privately .
Great news. I also think more checks need to be done for AF on patients with Thyroid problems. Had I been checked I wouldn't have found out about AF until it was too late and caused a stroke.
May well be but think there are other conditions which are far more serious and life threatening where the nhs need to spend their money. Afib won't kill you... if you are concerned watch YouTube York cardiologist... very very reassuring.
Thank you everyone for your comments, this study has raised quite a reaction and your opinions provide great feedback to the Charity.
Surely it would make sense to campaign for people to check their own pulse? It's so simple and very obvious when in AF.Also we need to be encouraged to have a blood pressure machine at home. OK, they aren't 100% accurate as we have no means of calibrating them, but they at least give an indication of BP and would certainly flag up unusually high or low readings. Ours also alerts the user to AF.
I have my own blood pressure monitor which I use regularly. I have been amazed over the years at the inability of nursing staff to take blood pressure properly. Recently a nurse in cardiology clinic put the cuff on too loosely, told me to let my arm hang down and started talking to me as the machine was taking the pressure. In fact I can't remember any nursing staff anywhere who has done it correctly. Shameful!
My AF was picked up by both my blood pressure monitor and Apple Watch. When I have my annual flu jab my pulse is also checked. I would recommend any device that you can use at home as this takes the stress and strain of getting a GP's appointment. I went straight to the doctor and asked whether I go to A&E or can I be seen immediately. Had an ECG that day at the doctors and two weeks later had an appointment at the heart clinic. Maybe I was lucky.
I am amazed it isn’t routine like it is here in the US. But last week my BP was 178 over something because I was sick and no one said anything much at all! The previous three times it was also high I think it’s because I drink coffee before I go in. Yesterday I didn’t and it was normal at the docs. They even take BP at the dentist’s. 🤷🏼♀️
Atrial Fibrillation: The Most Common Heart Arrhythmia
Treatment for Atrial Fibrillation 
Atrial Tachycardia following Ablation for Atrial Fibrillation 
As my atrial fibrillation come back?
