31 May 2013
Islanders are being offered the opportunity to have a free heart check next week as part of Heart Rhythm Week, a UK national campaign. The checks will be offered by specialist cardiac nurses Lee-Anne Penn, Lisa Anderson and Angela Moss and their assistants on a no appointment basis in the Parade entrance of the Hospital on:
Tuesday 4 June 12noon-6pm
Wednesday 5 June 10am-3pm
Friday 7June 10am-2pm
This year, the team will be using a state of the art hand-held ECG recorder that attaches to an iPhone and offers a rapid assessment of your heart rhythm. The team will also be performing pulse and blood pressure checks. Stands and support will be available from the Jersey Heart Support Group and St John’s Ambulance.
Free check is popular
Last year, the event proved very popular, and over six hundred 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.
This year’s theme for Heart Rhythm Week is “Hearts and Goals” which aims to raise awareness of sudden cardiac arrest, the UK’s number one killer, claiming 100,000 lives each year and of the life-saving difference that can be made with CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) and an AED (automated external defibrillator) to survival.
Heart check can flag problems
Jersey’s consultant cardiologist, Dr Andrew Mitchell said: “Sudden cardiac death remains a problem throughout the British Isles. Learning basic life support really makes a difference and saves lives. In addition we would like to see increased access to automatic external defibrillators in our community, perhaps one outside every parish hall and one at every school, gym and sports pitch. Early access to CPR and AEDs saves lives.
“1 in 4 of us will have a heart rhythm problem and a heart check can flag up any possible problems. Also take a look at your lifestyle and have a chat with your GP about your cardiovascular risk. Every week in Jersey young people are dying or having heart attacks as a consequence of their lifestyles – principally cigarette smoking. Chest pain on effort, unexplained breathlessness or the sensation of a rapid or irregular heart beat can all be warning signs of heart disease,” explained Dr Mitchell.
gov.je