Free Pulse Checks for Londoners during Global AF Awareness Week

More than 150,0000 Londoners have the most common type of irregular heartbeat, which is called Atrial Fibrillation or AF, and are at higher risk of a stroke. Not everyone with AF has symptoms and a simple pulse rhythm check could save their life.

During the AF Association Global AF Aware Week, from 20 – 26 November 2017, free pulse check events will be running across London. Londoners are being encouraged to spread the word about irregular heartbeats and urge friends and family – particularly those aged over 65 – to check their pulse and see a GP if it is irregular.

Pulse checks can be done manually (a British Heart Foundation video and guide shows how here) or through new technology, with irregular rhythms investigated further by healthcare professionals.

Please see details of free AF Awareness Week events across London below

Photo: a manual pulse check being performed by a member of South London Cares, here at the Health Innovation Network offices.

South London

Health Innovation Network and its partners will be offering free manual or mobile ECG pulse rhythm checks to test for AF:

Monday 20 November:
• Erith Health Centre, 50 Pier Rd, Erith, DA8 1RQ 9.30-2.30pm

Tuesday 21 November:
• Outside Costa Coffee, Croydon University Hospital, 530 London Road, CR7 7YE 12-2pm
• Central Hall, St Thomas’ Hospital, Westminster Bridge Rd, SE1 7EH 9am-1pm
• Rushey Green Pharmacy, The primary Care Centre, Hawstead Road, SE6 4JH 9.30am-5pm

Wednesday 22 November:
• Outside Costa Coffee Shop, Croydon University Hospital, 530 London Road, CR7 7YE 9am-12pm
• Leegate Pharmacy, 334 Lee High Road, SE13 5PJ 9am-5.30pm

Thursday 23 November:
• Rushey Green Pharmacy, The primary Care Centre, Hawstead Road, SE6 4JH 9.30am-5pm
• Leegate Pharmacy, 334 Lee High Road, SE13 5PJ 9am-5.30pm

Friday 24 November:
• University Hospital Lewisham Main Entrance, Lewisham High Street, SE13 6LH 1-3pm

West London

Led by Imperial College Health Partners, staff and clinicians will be carrying out free pulse checks for patients and members of the public at the following times and locations. The checks will be carried out using a mobile ECG device which instantly analyses and interprets heart recordings:

Monday 20 November:
• Hounslow Tesco Superstore (Dukes Green Avenue, Feltham) 2pm-4pm

Wednesday 22 November:
• Hillingdon Hospital canteen 11am-1pm

Friday 24 November:
• Hammersmith & Fulham Parkview Health & Wellbeing Centre, Bloemfontein Rd, White City, London 10-12pm

North east and north central London

Led by UCLPartners, teams will be offering patients and members of the public a free pulse check using a mobile ECG device which instantly analyses and interprets heart recordings:

Monday 20 November – Friday 24 November
• Barts Heart Centre, West Smithfield, London, EC1A 7BE 9.30am-5pm

Thursday 23 November
• Karamsar Gurdwara (Temple) Ilford, 400 High Road, Ilford IG1 1TL 10am-3pm

Monday 20 November, Wednesday 22 November, Friday 24 November:
• Moorfields Eye Hospital, EC1V 2PD 9.30am-3pm

Thursday 23 November
• UCLPartners, 170 Tottenham Court Road, W1T 7HA 1-2pm