Boots UK is helping people to understand how regular monitoring for atrial fibrillation can help reduce their risk of stroke. Once detected and treated, Atrial fibrillation, the most common form of irregular heart rhythm, causes approximately 20 per cent1 of all strokes in the UK and yet new research by the British Medical Journal reveals over one-in-four (26 per cent) of women and men over the age 50 – had not heard of the condition.
The British Medical Journal research also reveals that around one million people in the UK live with atrial fibrillation, but once detected, treatment can reduce the risk of stroke by 67 per cent (as shown in people over 65). Additionally, while 95 per cent of people aged over 50 know that risk factors for a stroke include high blood pressure and 86 per cent know about high-cholesterol, only two-thirds (66 per cent) know that an irregular heart rhythm can also have an impact. Furthermore, over-half (56 per cent) didn’t know it can be treated to significantly reduce the risk of a stroke.
The research comes as Boots UK launches an advanced blood pressure monitor which can detect atrial fibrillation, making the Boots Pharmaceuticals Advanced Blood Pressure Monitor with Breakthrough Atrial Fibrillation Alert one of the most innovative monitors on the market.
Guidelines published by NICE in January recommend that using an AFIB monitor could increase the detection rate of atrial fibrillation allowing for preventative treatment to be given to reduce the incidence of Stroke.
Marc Donovan, Chief Pharmacist at Boots UK comments:
"Community Pharmacists can play an important role in helping to identify atrial fibrillation and advising those patients on the risks associated with the condition. By making healthcare advice even more accessible for our customers, we aim to empower individuals to have a greater insight into their health. Our complete care model offers a holistic approach to managing a customer’s needs across multiple personal factors incorporating a person’s lifestyle, personal preferences and medical history, as well as the conditions they have and treatments they are taking to address them.”
Trudie Lobban MBE, Founder & CEO of AF Association adds; “It is very encouraging to see an organisation such as Boots UK working to raise awareness with its customers by offering the latest innovation in alert monitors and potential fatal heart rhythm disorders. These devices can detect dangerous heart conditions, are backed by the medical health watchdog and can save lives.”
The Boots Pharmaceuticals Advanced Blood Pressure Monitor with Breakthrough Atrial Fibrillation Alert is available in stores and online now at £129.99.
Atrial fibrillation screening is suitable for people over 50 years and is highly recommended for those over 50 who have high blood pressure (hypertension), diabetes, coronary heart failure or who have previously had a stroke. Young people often have a high prevalence of other arrhythmia (irregular heartbeats) which can cause false positive atrial fibrillation readings. In young people screening for atrial fibrillation is therefore not recommended.
-Ends-
For further information please contact Claire Stuart on 0115 959 5995 or email Claire.stuart@boots.co.uk
About Boots UK
Boots UK (boots.com), the UK’s leading pharmacy-led health and beauty retailer, is part of the Retail Pharmacy International Division of Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc. (Nasdaq: WBA), the first global pharmacy-led, health and wellbeing enterprise. With 2,510* stores in the UK, Boots UK is committed to providing exceptional customer and patient care, be the first choice for pharmacy and healthcare and offer innovative 'only at Boots' exclusive products such as the UK’s leading skincare brand No7, all delivered with the great value customers love. Created over 165 years ago, the Boots brand is still at the heart of the communities it serves.
*As at 31 August 2015 excluding equity method investments
[1] British Medical Journal, Atrial fibrillation as risk factor for cardiovascular disease and death in women compared with men: systematic review and meta-analysis of cohort studies, Jan 2016