Calls for over-65s to be screened for condition that causes deadliest strokes

By Harriet Alexander
Updated September 3 2016 - 11:09am, first published August 19 2016 - 5:36pm
Heart pacemakers are used to treat arrhythmias. Photo: Peter Dazeley
Heart pacemakers are used to treat arrhythmias. Photo: Peter Dazeley
Atrial fibrillation is an irregular heartbeat and it can cause ischaemic stroke.
Atrial fibrillation is an irregular heartbeat and it can cause ischaemic stroke.
The iECG: an iPhone app developed by the University of Sydney provides a cheap and accurate method of detecting heart rhythm problems.
The iECG: an iPhone app developed by the University of Sydney provides a cheap and accurate method of detecting heart rhythm problems.
Some people with atrial fibrillation use a pacemaker. Photo: Guy Magowan
Some people with atrial fibrillation use a pacemaker. Photo: Guy Magowan
A patient is fitted with a pacemaker. Photo: Rohan Thomson
A patient is fitted with a pacemaker. Photo: Rohan Thomson

An international consortium of cardiologists is calling for regular screening of all people aged over 65 for irregular heart rhythms, which are linked to one in three strokes in Australia.

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