Check your pulse: How 30 seconds could impact your life

Can you spare 30 seconds to prioritise your health? Global AF Aware Week (18-24 November 2024) highlights that arrhythmias (irregular heartbeat conditions) are at an all-time high, affecting more than 1.5 million people in the UK. In particular, atrial fibrillation (AF) is one of the most common arrhythmia presenting to GPs.

What is an arrhythmia or an irregular heartbeat?

An arrhythmia involves a problem with the rhythm of your heart. There are different types of arrhythmias. Some conditions can involve a very fast heart rate (also known as a tachycardia, which involves a heart rate of over 100 beats per minute when resting), a very slow heart rate (also known as a bradycardia, which involves a heart rate of under 60 beats per minute when resting), or an irregular rhythm, in which the top and bottom chambers of the heart are not synchronised.

AF is a very fast heart rate which also has an irregular rhythm. In people with AF, the upper and lower chambers of the heart do not work effectively together to pump blood to the lungs and body. This can lead to symptoms such as shortness of breath, heart palpitations, dizziness, and fatigue.

What are the risks of having AF?

According to existing research, people with AF are five times more likely to have a stroke. AF-related strokes tend to be more severe, have worse long-term effects, and are related to greater mortality, compared with other types of stroke. Some people with AF may not experience any symptoms, and may not know they have AF, but are still at an increased risk of stroke.

Testing for an irregular heart rhythm is therefore important, as it helps to identify potential cases of AF earlier so that people can seek treatment. This may include medication (anticoagulants) to reduce the risk of a stroke.

How can we check if we have an irregular heartbeat?

Checking your pulse may indicate an irregular heartbeat, and it can be done in four easy steps:

1. Sit down for five minutes before testing your pulse. You will need a clock or watch which counts seconds
2. Take your left or right hand out with the palm facing up and your elbow bent slightly
3. With your other hand, use your index and middle finger and place it on your wrist at the base of your thumb. You may need to move your fingers around a little to find the pulse. Keep firm pressure on your wrist to feel the pulse
4. For 30 seconds (using a clock), count your pulse (the number of beats). At the end of the 30 seconds, multiply by two to get your heart rate in beats per minute.

Most people have a heart rate of 60-100 beats per minute. However, your age, fitness, level of stress and diet (e.g. caffeine) can impact your heart rate. It is normal for your pulse to change slightly throughout the day, therefore it is a good idea to take your pulse at various points throughout the day (such as when you wake up, and when you go to bed), to get a baseline pulse. With AF, people may experience a resting heart rate of over 140 beats per minute. As well as a very fast pulse, people with AF may feel an uneven beat or skipped beats.

To talk you through taking your pulse, you can follow this video from Arrhythmia Alliance.

If your pulse feels irregular, is very high (above 120 beats per minute) or very slow (under 40 beats per minute) you should make an appointment to see your doctor. Make sure you also see your doctor if you need further medical advice or if you are unsure about symptoms.

Where to find more information

There are several ways to find out more about AF including online via Atrial Fibrillation Association and Stroke Association. Additionally, to make information more accessible, we have created a new limited-series podcast on AF, as part of the University of Derby University Innovation and Research Podcast.

In the podcast we talk more about AF, how to prevent the risks of AF and how psychology plays an important role in improving the lives of people with AF. The AF podcast will be released in the next few months with guest contributors from Atrial Fibrillation Association, Stroke Association, Glenfield Hospital, Royal Stoke Hospital, University of Derby, and we’ll also be hearing from patients themselves.

I have previously led research examining the longitudinal psychological and clinical predictors of quality of life and other patient-reported outcomes (such as depression and anxiety) in individuals with AF, and research examining patients’ experiences of managing AF. I am currently leading the development of a co-creation project, working with patients, with the aim of developing a multi-component intervention aimed at improving quality of life in AF patients.

We are currently recruiting people with AF (or a previous diagnosis of AF) and their family members to join our existing Patient and Public Involvement group. As part of this group, you could help make an impact on the direction of our research, ensuring that our work is grounded in the needs of patients, and that the research is relevant for different individuals across the UK.

If you’d like to get involved by participating or contributing to AF-related projects, please get in touch at e.taylor3@derby.ac.uk.