Heart Condition Affects More Than A Million In UK

More than a million people in the UK now live with a condition that causes the heart to beat irregularly and can lead to strokes.

Data from the British Heart Foundation (BHF) shows the UK has, for the first time, topped the million mark in the number of people diagnosed with atrial fibrillation.

The figure is up almost 20% on five years ago. High blood pressure, heart valve disease and binge drinking are among the causes alongside the fact people are living longer.

The heart disease causes an irregular and often abnormally fast heart rate, frequently leading to dizziness and shortness of breath.

Sufferers may also feel palpitations and become very tired.

A normal heart rate should be between 60 and 100 beats a minute when a person is resting, with a regular rhythm.

Some people with atrial fibrillation have no symptoms and are completely unaware that their heart rate is irregular.

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If left untreated, atrial fibrillation can significantly increase the risk of a blood clot forming inside the heart, which increases the risk of stroke five-fold.

The BHF said atrial fibrillation is responsible for 22,500 strokes a year in the UK.

Simon Gillespie, chief executive of the charity, said: "The real danger with atrial fibrillation is that some people don't realise they have it.

"You can be going about your daily routine oblivious to the fact you're five times more likely to have a devastating stroke.

"Checking that your pulse is regular is a simple way of seeing if you're at risk. But only through research can we tackle this dangerous disorder and prevent its devastating consequences."

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5 Ways To Lower Your Heart Disease Risk

Know Your Personal Risk(01 of05)

"There's a link between your awareness level and your likelihood to take preventive action," Mosca said.Bring a list of questions to your annual check-up to help you and your doctor get to the bottom of what your risk for developing heart disease or stroke is, such as what your blood pressure level is and what it should be. (credit:Shutterstock)

Modify Your Personal Risk(02 of05)

"Personal risk is a result of several factors. There's genetic risk and there's lifestyle risk. Lifestyle choices are related to our culture and personal behaviors," Moska said, adding that it is important for doctors to be culturally sensitive when motivating women to get their blood pressure and other risk factors in check.One way black women can take control is to adapt family recipes to be lower in salt, Moska suggested.Check out this list of high-sodium foods as a guide. (credit:Alamy)

Watch What You Eat(03 of05)

Eating a diet that's rich in fruits and vegetables can lower blood pressure, the most prominent risk factor among African-American women, Moska said. Incorporating more fiber and eating fish at least twice a week will also have a positive impact on heart disease risk, she added.A 2011 study by researchers at Northwestern University found that a diet high in fiber -- meaning 25 grams of dietary fiber or more a day, according to the American Heart Association -- could be a critical heart-healthy lifestyle change young and middle-aged adults can make.One change that won't lower your risk, however, is dietary supplements. "Many women are not really aware of what the evidenced-based approaches are to reducing heart disease," Moska said. "Many women still believe that supplements will protect them and we have no evidence for that." (credit:Alamy)

Find A Workout Buddy(04 of05)

"We've learned that social support is a very important protector for the heart," Moska says. Encourage your friends to get regular exercise together and keep in mind that 60 minutes a day is key to maintaining or losing weight. "30 minutes is probably not enough," Moska added -- though it doesn't have to be heavy, intense exercise. Moderate, brisk walking has been shown to help lower risk, too.In October, Danish researchers released the results of a study supporting Moska's claim -- that brisk walking every day can halve the chance of a heart attack or stroke. (credit:Shutterstock)

Get A Rein On Depression(05 of05)

"We found in our survey that self-reported depression was very common," Moska said. "This is a very important risk factor among minorities and is a very powerful predictor of developing heart disease."20 to 30 percent of all heart patients develop depression, according to a report last year by Psychology Today. In turn, depressed individuals often have unfavorable changes in blood pressure, blood clotting, inflammation and circulating stress hormones, all factors associated with coronary heart disease. (credit:Alamy)

The data was released as part of the BHF's Ramp up the Red fundraising campaign.

Richard Elgar, 43, from Dorset, was diagnosed with atrial fibrillation last September.

The father-of-two, who is a builder, said: "I'd already had a heart attack when I was 36, so finding out I had atrial fibrillation was another blow.

"I didn't tell my wife about the risk of stroke until I was on medication to help prevent it.

"I didn't want to worry her and the children. But every tiny ache or twinge still makes me panic that something could be starting that could devastate my family. It's incredibly stressful.

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"I'm currently waiting for further treatment, so I'm not out of the woods yet.

"More research, funded by the BHF's Ramp up the Red campaign, could help find better ways of treating people like me and make sure my family stays together.

"We're all set to dig out our reddest outfits for the occasion and I hope thousands of other families will join in too."

Mr Elgar's eldest son Alfie, eight, completed a 40-mile bike ride last summer to raise funds for the BHF.

He continued despite falling off his bike twice because of the heat and exhaustion.

The schoolboy has said he wants to be a heart surgeon when he grows up so he can "fix daddy".

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