The hidden danger of a stroke revealed

Thousands of people across the UK could be at risk of stroke without being aware of it.

Research conducted for The Stroke Association has revealed little public awareness of atrial fibrillation (AF), a major risk factor of stroke.

AF is an irregular heartbeat and is one of the most common heart rhythm disturbances encountered by doctors, affecting approximately 750,000 people in the UK alone. More than three quarters (83 per cent) of the GPs surveyed confirmed that problems existed with the diagnosis, treatment and management of atrial fibrillation in the UK

The survey, which questioned GPs and patients, revealed that over a third of the GPs questioned identified a lack of public awareness of the condition as a significant contributor to the problems that surround its diagnosis and treatment. And more than half (55 per cent) believed that the problems stemmed from the associated risks of using anticoagulants such as warfarin which are used to treat patients with AF.

Although three quarters (76 per cent) of GPs acknowledged that stroke was a major consequence of AF, only 40 per cent said they would treat patients with warfarin.

Steve Benveniste, campaigns officer at The Stroke Association, said: "AF is a major risk factor for stroke.

"It accounts for 14 per cent of all strokes and 12,500 strokes a year are thought to be directly linked to the condition.

"The majority of people recognise factors such as smoking and high blood pressure as risk factors for stroke, yet, as this research highlights, public awareness of AF as a risk factor is incredibly low.

"Many people may not recognise the symptoms of AF as a serious health problem, resulting in them not being diagnosed and leaving them at risk of stroke."