To help increase the detection of AF and improve the use of appropriate treatment in primary care the Network has developed materials to support the detection of AF and the prevention of stroke. About 1.3 million people in the UK have Atrial Fibrillation (AF), which increases individual risk of suffering a stroke by nearly 500%. It is estimated that only 18% of all AF patients are currently receiving treatment that safely reduces their risk of stroke.
These new materials include a 3-minute video message from Dr Martin James, Stroke Physician in Exeter and Dr Rick Mejzner, General Practitioner in Budleigh Salterton, about simple and easy ways to improve detection and management of AF in primary care. Also available here are two single-sided concise guides – a decision-making guide in AF, and ‘Top Ten Tips’ for preventing stroke in AF. More detailed Network Guidance on the use of new oral anticoagulants is also available.
Individual GP practices can look up their predicted prevalence of AF using CCG-level and individual practice-specific data produced by the National Cardiovascular Intelligence Network at Public Health England. The spreadsheet is available here, and can be searched by practice name or code.
Further details can be found here
