RESIDENTS are being urged to show some love to their heart with Valentine’s Day approaching.
The plea comes from NHS South Warwickshire Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) as latest statistics show there are almost 8,000 expected cases of people in the area living with a heart condition that causes an irregular and often abnormally fast heart rate – known as Atrial Fibrillation (AF).
Dr David Spraggett, local GP and chair of NHS South Warwickshire CCG said: “Valentine’s Day is an ideal time to make a start for a healthy heart.
“AF, or irregular heartbeat, is a serious heart condition that can increase the risk of stroke if left untreated. Sometimes, AF doesn’t cause any symptoms and some people can be completely unaware that their heart rate isn’t regular. We would urge everyone to get into the habit of checking their pulse regularly.
“An irregular pulse could be a sign that someone has an abnormal heart rhythm, which is why checking your pulse regularly is so important.”
Arrhythmias or heart rhythm problems are experienced by more than 2million people a year in the UK. Most with an abnormal heart rhythm can lead a normal life if properly diagnosed.
Heart and circulatory diseases now cause more than a quarter of all deaths in the UK – nearly 170,000 deaths each year.
Symptoms of heart disease are varied and depend on what type people have. They can include chest pains, shortness of breath, fainting, numbness in legs and breathlessness.
Dr Spraggett added: “The best way to maintain good heart health is to lead a healthy lifestyle.
“This doesn’t mean making drastic changes. Ensuring you eat a balanced diet or taking a walk every day can make a huge difference.”
Click here https://youtu.be/ZvkIMdF7M20 to watch a video on how to take your pulse.
