06 June 2011
Islanders who want to check on their heart health are being offered the chance to have a free pulse check as part of national Heart Rhythm Week tomorrow.
The checks will be offered in the foyer at the front of the hospital on the Parade on Tuesday 7 June from 9 am to 2 pm.
Lee-Anne Penn, and Lisa Anderson, the Hospital’s BHF cardiac nurse specialists, will be offering the checks to the public, as well as information leaflets and advice on how to keep a healthy heart. This will be backed up by a heart tracing (ECG) if required.
Jersey’s consultant cardiologist Andrew Mitchell said "This week is World Heart Rhythm Week, with organisations and charities around the world trying to raise awareness of heart rhythm disorders and cardiovascular health.
"Many heart rhythm problems can be detected by a simple pulse check and an abnormal, fast or slow heart beat can then be followed up by a doctor and appropriate treatment can be given. These conditions are incredibly common, for example, the life-time risk of developing the heart rhythm condition arial fibrillation from the age of 40 is 1 in 4."
"A simple pulse check may be all that is needed to detect an arrhythmia early. All too often the first symptoms of a heart rhythm problem can be a serious collapse, stroke or even death. Next time you visit your GP; do ask for a pulse check. It only takes seconds and could save your life."
gov.je