Project overview
Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a heart condition that causes an irregular heartbeat. It affects up to 1 in 10 people over the age of 65 but does not necessarily cause symptoms.
Having atrial fibrillation increases the risk of having a stroke 5-fold, but treatment with medication can significantly lower this risk as well as lowering your risk of having a heart attack.
We want to find out whether screening people over the age of 65 years for atrial fibrillation and treating them with medication:
1. is possible/achievable in GP practices;
2. prevents the number of strokes we think it will;
3. is good value for money for the NHS.
The results will help the NHS decide whether to start a national screening programme for atrial fibrillation to reduce the number of strokes.
Having atrial fibrillation increases the risk of having a stroke 5-fold, but treatment with medication can significantly lower this risk as well as lowering your risk of having a heart attack.
We want to find out whether screening people over the age of 65 years for atrial fibrillation and treating them with medication:
1. is possible/achievable in GP practices;
2. prevents the number of strokes we think it will;
3. is good value for money for the NHS.
The results will help the NHS decide whether to start a national screening programme for atrial fibrillation to reduce the number of strokes.
Staff
Lead researcher