World Heart Day

As we mark World Heart Day (29th September), new research on behalf of Fitbit has uncovered insights into the nation’s knowledge and habits when it comes to heart health.

When it comes to our hearts, we’re missing a beat. Over 1 in 3 of us (39%) admit to never having checked our heart health at all, with this figure rising to nearly half of women (46%), a group more at risk of developing heart disease.

While heart conditions such as strokes (71%) and heart attacks (75%) are widely known by Brits, two-thirds (65%) are unaware of what the term atrial fibrillation means. Often termed AFib, it’s a condition that 1 in 4 adults risk developing in their lifetime. Symptoms include an irregular and often abnormally fast heart rate. Unaddressed, atrial fibrillation can lead to blood clots in the heart, increasing the risk of stroke and heart failure.

The latest developments in wearable technology help to give a better understanding of what is going on with our hearts. For example, Fitbit’s Irregular Heart Rhythm Notification feature notifies users if there are signs of an irregular heartbeat, which could indicate AFib. This World Heart Day, Fitbit wants to empower people to better understand their heart rhythm so that people can have a better conversation with their doctor about their heart health.

Ryan spoke to Dr Punam Krishan.