Bill Woods is joined by Tanya Hall, Hearts4heart founder and CEO, shed light on Atrial Fibrillation Awareness Week (September 19 – September 25).  Australians are urged to get their heart checked, following reports that people who have had COVID-19 are at greater risk of developing atrial fibrillation (AF).

• According to research, people who have had even mild cases of COVID-19 are at increased risk of developing atrial fibrillation (AF).
• In 2021, there was a 4% increase in the prevalence of atrial fibrillation among hospitalised COVID-19 patients in Australia.
• More than half a million Australians are affected by atrial fibrillation, a condition that is responsible for 1-in-4 strokes and increases risk of heart failure and dementia.
• Alarmingly, up to 1-in-3 people living with the condition remain undiagnosed.

“Not everyone experiences symptoms, and the most common ones are often dismissed, either as other health issues or just signs of getting older, but they shouldn’t be ignored,” said Hearts4heart founder and CEO, Tanya Hall.

“If you’ve experienced a rapid heartbeat or palpitations, dizziness, unexplained tiredness, shortness of breath, fainting, swelling of the ankles or chest pain, speak with your GP about getting your heart checked,” says Ms Hall.

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