Former Welsh rugby union captain Alum Wyn Jones is the face of a new awareness campaign launching in the UK today to draw attention to atrial fibrillation (AF), an irregular and potentially life-threatening heart rhythm abnormality.
Alun Wyn retired from the sport last November at the age of 38, just a few months after a diagnosis of AF made while he was still playing professional rugby on a short-term contract with French side Toulon. He made a record-breaking 158 appearances for Wales, the most caps any player has made for their country, and was also a celebrated British & Irish Lions player.
The Let’s Talk Rhythm campaign intends to draw attention to the early warning signs of AF, encourage people to talk about their heart health, and draw attention to the role that personal heart monitoring can have in detecting heart rhythm disturbances.
AF causes an irregular and abnormally fast heart rate, which reduces the heart’s efficiency and performance, but also raises the risk of blood clots, placing people with it at increased risk of stroke, heart failure, dementia, and death.
Alun Wyn Jones in action, via www.wru.wales
Alun Wyn’s AF went undiagnosed until he underwent a full medical check, including an ECG, as part of the process of joining Toulon.
“During my rugby career, I was used to training hard and pushing my body to its limits. When I was told during a routine medical that my tiredness was the result of a heart condition, I was surprised to say the least,” he said.
“Through the ‘Let’s Talk Rhythm’ campaign, I want to share my personal experience and practical advice to help people recognise the early warning signs of AF and talk about their concerns.”
The campaign is supported by AliveCor, whose artificial intelligence-powered electrocardiogram (ECG) technology is used within the NHS to detect abnormal heart rhythms like AF, bradycardia and tachycardia. It’s KardiaMobile device is the first personal ECG to be recommended by NICE for use within the NHS.
Following his AF diagnosis, Alun Wyn’s wife purchased a KardiaMobile device to help him track his heart rhythm with the help of a smartphone app. The data generated using the device is stored on the phone and can be shared with a doctor.
“Personal heart monitoring allows me to track my heart rhythm, providing me with the reassurance I need to live my life to the fullest,” he said.
Last year, a partnership between virtual ward start-up Doccla, AliveCor, and a UK healthcare trust was formed to provide care for patients with AF outside of a hospital, and see how it compared to regular in-clinic care. That was – at least in part – a response to a four-month waiting time at that time for a first outpatient consultation at the trust’s cardiology unit.
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