21 May 2012
The checks will be offered by specialist cardiac rehabilitation nurses Lee-Anne Penn, Lisa Anderson and Angela Moss on a no appointment basis in The Parade entrance of the hospital between 9:30 am and 6:30 pm on Tuesday 22 May.
Last year, the event proved very popular, and many Islanders took the chance to have a free check, which takes only a few minutes. Following the checks, the nurses will advise if there are any concerns, and whether the person might need further medical advice.
Hospitals across the British Isles will be offering similar events in a bid to raise awareness about heart health.
Hospital consultant Dr Andrew Mitchell said: “The week is a great opportunity to promote heart health and to think about taking care of your heart. 1 in 4 of us will have a heart rhythm problem and a simple pulse check can flag up any possible problems.”
This year, the theme of Heart Rhythm Week is ‘Your Heart in Your Hands’ promoting the theme of people taking responsibility for their heart health. The week is supported by Arrhythmia Alliance, the heart rhythm charity, who have also produced a downloadable checklist which can be shared with your GP if you have any concerns about your heart.
“Experiencing palpitations, feeling faint or short of breath can all by symptoms of a heart rhythm disorder,” explained Dr Mitchell. “A heart rhythm disorder (cardiac arrhythmia) is when the heart beats too quickly, too slowly or irregularly. Although symptoms alone do not mean you have a heart rhythm disorder, if your symptoms are persistent or uncomfortable, you should talk to your doctor. If you are experiencing palpitations, feeling faint or are short of breath, you could complete the checklist and share it with your doctor.”
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