Screening for Atrial Fibrillation

Farmor glad it's proper trail. I only moved to where I live now in the north west 3 years ago. My old GP diagnosed me with LVH just via ECG no medication only taking my BP every morning have been doing that for 5 years. Didn't see a cardiologist.

My GP practice here did blood tests and found I had heart failure . Which as you properly know sounds scary but just means my heart is functioning correctly. Saw my first ever cardiologist in 2020 and ask if I had ever had an echocardiogram which I hadn't. So they did one and found something odd. So had a bubble Echocardiogram and found a hole I was born with. But Covid got in the way of further tests. August last year after many visits to A&E they caught the AF . Af clinic where wonderful and put me on Flecainide and Apixaban. Had no side effects. November last year spend 90mins in a MRI machine with electrodes on and large plate over my chest . At least they found no hole in the chambers of my heart and strong heart function. The hole they think is a little one that is like a flap between your heart and lungs which should have closed before birth but mine didn't. Just had a 24hr ECG and that showed my missing heart beats but that also I have extra ones.

I was also born with a Neurological condition and after 34 years where my health got worse finally this year had a diagnosis at the age of 64 thanks to my neurologist and genetic blood tests.

If I hadn't move over 100 miles still wouldn't know what's wrong with me. As my old GP and neurologist could have had the tests I have had here done but didn't.

Shows it does make a difference to where you live what health care you get. My brother and sister in law moved to the north east and their health care is brilliant as well. They used to live in the same county as me.

I had a belt around my waist, linked to electrodes on my chest. I wore it for one week as it was on loan from the hospital.

I had it done a few years ago ... nothing to it ... hold a device like a mobile phone ( maybe one who knows !) Attached to a lap top ... think about 30 seconds or a minute not long ... sure ask you a few questions aswell ... let you know there & then ... mine was fine ... my friend had hers done as was a problem

Yes, it looks like a proper medical trial to me too, not that I have faith in our GP practice. The phone is not even answered!

Whiff - I had a look as I was curious. It's a trial run by the University of Cambridge in collaboration with other universities and NHS. www.safer.phpc.cam.ac.uk/

It seems like a proper medical trial. I agree that the only reliable ECG is one done by proper medical staff, but for paroxysmal AF, the chances of having an episode while being monitored are quite low.

In my case I would get AF, (detected initially by taking my own pulse) around once a month. The device I was recommended allowed me to confirm that I was in AF and send the result to my GP. He referred me to a cardiologist who was happy to accept the results of the device. Of course I was referred for other tests - proper ECG (but not when in AF), Echo cardiogram, 24 hour BP monitor. But the actual diagnosis was because of the small device and I was put on the appropriate medication.

The main reason for early diagnosis of AF, which this trial is about, is that it leads to a greatly increased risk of stroke and many people have no symptoms.

The only reliable ECG is done but trained medical staff in a hospital or clinic. My Paroxysmal atrial fibrillation was able to be detected when I was actually in atrial fibrillation. I had had 6 ECG's previously but wasn't in AF. Further tests done via the AF clinic at the hospital determined it was Paroxysmal and not permanent atrial fibrillation. And was able to prescribe the correct heart medication and blood thinner.

This may be a a trail at the invitation of your GP but is it a trail run by the NHS or the company that makes the device? There is a vast difference. And I would be asking the question does your GP get any payment for patients on this trail.

It's my suspicion mind at work.

Thanks Farmor. I shall do it as I agree it is good to help a trial.

I just had a quick look at the website for trial www.safer.phpc.cam.ac.uk/

It looks like not everyone who signs up will get the gadget - some will be in the control group, but it's always good to help with a proper medical trial. It's completely non-invasive and safe.

Not that trial, but my GP recommended I buy a small device that links with a phone app which records a mini ECG. With it I was able to detect I had atrial fibrillation (AF)- the intermittent type. It will only detect AF when you're actually having an episode. But that's the same as a proper ECG which will not tell if you've had an episode of AF - only when you're heart is actually in AF.

The advantage of the home test is that you can check immediately if you're getting a fluttery feeling whether it's actually AF. I would recommend signing up for trial.