Thousands living with undiagnosed heart problem

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Friday, 25 January 2019 19:58

By Andrew Morris - Local Democracy Reporter

Thousands of people across the county are suffering from an undiagnosed heart condition, it has been revealed.

Shropshire Council’s Health and Wellbeing board was told that more than 10,000 people in the county are living with undiagnosed atrial fibrillation – a heart condition that causes an irregular and often abnormally fast heart rate.

In a bid to tackle the issue, the council’s Healthy Lives team has rolled out equipment to give people chance to get checked out.

Val Cross, health and well-being officer, said: “It is estimated that there are 10,014 people with undiagnosed AF in Shropshire.

“As a form of early intervention, and using a preventative approach, these devices are being used for opportunistic screening in seven pharmacies and three GP practices to detect AF early, and thus reduce stroke risk.

“Those with abnormal readings screened in pharmacies, are referred to their GP and offered a ‘Healthy Lives’ programme intervention.

“These could include; Help2Quit for smoking, Help2Slim for weight management or support through social prescribing for a community-based activity such as exercise with a social base.

“So far, 92 people have been screened in pharmacy settings, and training is being provided for primary care staff in GP practices for use of the devices within the NHS Health check.”

Meanwhile, a cancer recovery programme is being extended after a successful launch.

Ms Cross said: “The Lingen Davies grant funded ‘Get Active Feel Good’ programme led by Public Health is being extended beyond the current hospital sites to provide access in community settings.

“The programme provides support to people living with and beyond cancer to improve their health and wellbeing through physical activity.

“Get Active Feel Good is now open to GP referral and is a registered healthy Lives Social Prescribing intervention.”

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