GPs should routinely take pulse rates to prevent strokes

A major study has found that if patient pulse rates were routinely taken during GP appointments, the detection rate of potentially fatal strokes would increase by 10%.

Atrial fibrillation is a potentially fatal condition, which can lead to strokes and heart failure. It is known that it currently affects at least 800,000 adults in the UK, but it is believed that a further 250,000 are living with it undiagnosed.

Lead author of the study Dr John Robson, said “This study shows that a programme to increase detection of AF with opportunistic pulse regularity checks … was associated with a rapid adoption of pulse regularity checks.

“The introduction of pulse regularity checks was associated with a significant increase in the trend of detection of AF.”

The British Heart Foundation’s senior cardiac nurse, Maureen Talbot, said “Atrial fibrillation affects over one million people in the UK and if someone is living with the condition and doesn’t know it they are far more likely to be at risk of having a potentially deadly stroke.

“Treatment of people with AF using medication reduces their risk of stroke by two thirds, therefore it is crucial people are diagnosed as early as possible to reduce this risk.”

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Posted by Tony May, Partner/head of Clinical Negligence Department, Chadwick Lawrence LLP (tonymay@chadlaw.co.uk ), medical negligence lawyers and clinical negligence solicitors in Huddersfield, Leeds, Wakefield and Halifax, West Yorkshire.

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