Royal College of Physicians: Atrial fibrillation - a hidden disease

Monday, 09, Oct 2006 12:00

COMMON, TREATABLE, BUT OFTEN UNRECOGNISED – ATRIAL FIBRILLATION, A HIDDEN DISEASE

Atrial fibrillation (AF for short) is a condition that affects the heart causing an irregular pulse, and is the commonest sustained abnormality of the heart's normal regular rhythm.  Although a common condition affecting over one in ten people over 75, it is not always recognised immediately as the symptoms are similar to those of other medical conditions.

Atrial fibrillation is important to diagnose early as it is a major risk factor for stroke – people with AF have a one in twenty chance of having a stroke. New guidelines commissioned by NICE from the National Collaborating Centre for Chronic Conditions (NCC-CC), based at the Royal College of Physicians, aim to help GPs and other healthcare professionals recognise and treat AF. The guidelines are being launched at an international one-day conference hosted by the Royal College of Physicians on Tuesday 10 October to emphasize the importance of diagnosing and treating this condition.

The press conference to launch the guidelines will take place at 11.30 am at the College, 11 St Andrews Place, Regent's Park, London NW1 4LE. Nearest tubes are Great Portland Street and Warren Street, Regent's Park tube is closed.

Speaking at the press conference will be:

Professor Ian Gilmore, RCP President

Dr Mike Rudolf, Chair of the Guideline Development Group

Professor Gregory Lip, Clinical Advisor to the Guideline Development Group

Mr David Smith, Patient Representative on the Guideline Development Group

Please contact either myself or Oliver Fry on ext.468 for more information.

Best wishes

Linda

Linda Cuthbertson

PR Manager

Royal College of Physicians

11 St Andrews Place

Regent's Park

London NW1 4LE

Tel: 020 7935 1174 ext.254, 0794 105 7494