Thousands of Australians could be unknowingly living with Atrial fibrillation, a common but often silent heart condition that dramatically raises the risk of severe, disabling strokes, as researchers push for early detection to prevent life-threatening outcomes.
Atrial fibrillation is a common heart rhythm disorder in which the heart beats irregularly and often too fast, increasing the risk of blood clots, stroke, heart failure and dementia. Symptoms can be mild or absent, making it difficult to detect without testing.
According to 9News website, six Australians die each day from Atrial fibrillation, a condition that often goes unnoticed due to subtle symptoms such as breathlessness and a racing heart.
Prevalence of Atrial fibrillation, already among the most common heart conditions in Australia, is expected to double among those aged 55 and over in the next 20 years.
"If you've reached the age of 40, you already have a one in three lifetime chance of developing AF ," Professor Ben Freedman said according to 9News website.
Undiagnosed cases of Atrial fibrillation may be far higher than reported, with more than half a million Australians already living with the condition, many only identified after suffering a stroke.
"These are really the worst sort of strokes that you want to do without [and] I think we will prevent them."
Australia has yet to implement a national screening program for Atrial fibrillation, despite growing concern over its prevalence.
The world’s largest clinical trial on screening for Atrial fibrillation, led by Professor Ben Freedman in partnership with the Heart Research Institute and the University of Sydney, has enrolled more than 600 Australians over 70, with at-home ECG monitoring already detecting previously undiagnosed cases.
However, the government has yet to commit to rolling out the screening program nationwide.
Freedman explained, "The government says 'if you can show us you've got fewer strokes, and that it's cost-effective, we'll fund it.
Reducing strokes linked to Atrial fibrillation could ease pressure on aged care, with the trial set to run another three years as Professor Ben Freedman seeks government backing for a national screening program.
Atrial fibrillation is a common heart rhythm disorder in which the heart beats irregularly and often too fast, increasing the risk of blood clots, stroke, heart failure and dementia. Symptoms can be mild or absent, making it difficult to detect without testing.
According to 9News website, six Australians die each day from Atrial fibrillation, a condition that often goes unnoticed due to subtle symptoms such as breathlessness and a racing heart.
Prevalence of Atrial fibrillation, already among the most common heart conditions in Australia, is expected to double among those aged 55 and over in the next 20 years.
"If you've reached the age of 40, you already have a one in three lifetime chance of developing AF ," Professor Ben Freedman said according to 9News website.
Undiagnosed cases of Atrial fibrillation may be far higher than reported, with more than half a million Australians already living with the condition, many only identified after suffering a stroke.
"These are really the worst sort of strokes that you want to do without [and] I think we will prevent them."
Australia has yet to implement a national screening program for Atrial fibrillation, despite growing concern over its prevalence.
The world’s largest clinical trial on screening for Atrial fibrillation, led by Professor Ben Freedman in partnership with the Heart Research Institute and the University of Sydney, has enrolled more than 600 Australians over 70, with at-home ECG monitoring already detecting previously undiagnosed cases.
However, the government has yet to commit to rolling out the screening program nationwide.
Freedman explained, "The government says 'if you can show us you've got fewer strokes, and that it's cost-effective, we'll fund it.
Reducing strokes linked to Atrial fibrillation could ease pressure on aged care, with the trial set to run another three years as Professor Ben Freedman seeks government backing for a national screening program.