The general public will be encouraged to 'Know Your Pulse' by legendary smoothie Sir Roger Moore, as part of Arrhythmia Awareness Week (8-14 June 2009).

A new online video brings the quintessential Bond back to screens. Having a heart rhythm problem himself, Sir Roger is taking the opportunity to encourage the public to 'Know Your Pulse' as an important diagnostic of a potentially fatal heart rhythm.

Cardiac arrhythmia is the UK's No. 1 killer, with 100,000 people dying every year from sudden cardiac arrest as a result of a lethally fast heart rhythm. Sudden Cardiac Arrests, caused by arrhythmias, lead to more deaths than breast cancer, lung cancer and AIDS combined. A cardiac arrhythmia is a heartbeat which is consistently too fast, too slow or irregular. The condition affects more than 2 million people (both diagnosed and undiagnosed) in the UK.

The 'Know Your Pulse' campaign is the message for this year's Arrhythmia Awareness Week (8-14 June 2009) and encourages members of the public to learn how to take their pulse on a regular basis, as it is one of the most effective ways of identifying a potential cardiac arrhythmia.

In addition to the video by Sir Roger Moore, a Pulse Check Card giving simple advice on taking your own pulse is available free from knowyourpulse.

Trudie Lobban, Founder and Trustee of Arrhythmia Alliance (A-A), the coalition body dedicated to raising public and professional awareness of cardiac arrhythmias said: "Equipping patients to be aware of their pulse is as important as blood pressure or weight checks because it may indicate an abnormal heart rate or rhythm. It is easy to do, and the information can provide a much more accurate indicator of a cardiac arrhythmia which otherwise can be very difficult to diagnose. Armed with multiple readings of their pulse, patients will be able to communicate any concerns much more clearly to their healthcare professional."

Sir Roger Moore said: "It is so important to Know Your Pulse as it can indicate a potential heart rhythm disorder. Early identification of cardiac arrhythmias can not only help prevent serious complications from developing, but may save your life."

From the 8-14 June, over 1,000 events will be taking place across the UK, from the Orkney Islands to the Channel Islands, to raise awareness of cardiac arrhythmias. Arrhythmia Awareness Week will commence with a Parliamentary Reception on Monday 8th June and A-A-A will be targeting national and regional media with the charity's key message, 'Know Your Pulse'.

Arrhythmia Awareness Week is part of a global campaign. The week will see 250 events worldwide helping to promote effective diagnosis, treatment, and improve quality of life for individuals affected by cardiac arrhythmias.

About arrhythmias

A cardiac arrhythmia is where the heart beats too fast, too slow or beats irregularly. It covers a range of conditions from a transient loss of consciousness (T-LOC) and Reflex Anoxic Seizures, to Cardiomyopathy and Sudden Adult Death Syndrome.

Source
The Arrhythmia Alliance