INNOVATIVE new technology could soon be used in Worcestershire to help prevent strokes and save lives.

A number of devices which can identify irregular heart rhythms in a few seconds are being made available to GP practices, pharmacies and NHS community clinics across the West Midlands.

The initiative is part of the work being done by the NHS Innovation Accelerator which aims to bring innovation into practice for the benefit of patients and the population as a whole. It is being delivered by the West Midland Academic Health Science Network (WMAHSN) which helps to speed up the adoption of innovation to improve the region’s health.

The new devices detect irregular heart rhythms quickly and easily, enabling NHS staff to refer any patients with irregular heart rhythms for follow ups, as they could be at risk of severe stroke.

The new technology includes a smartphone-linked device that works via an app and a new blood pressure cuff that also detects heart rhythms. Small and easy-to-use, NHS staff can also take the devices on home visits to patients to check for irregular heart rhythms.

The new technology will allow more staff in more settings to quickly and easily conduct pulse checks. As a result, the project is expected to identify 19,000 new cases of irregular heart rhythms - caused by atrial fibrillation (AF) - over two years, which could prevent up to 540 strokes and save £12.1m in associated health and costs.

According to the Stroke Association there are about 1.2 million people in the UK diagnosed with AF and it estimates there could be another half a million with the condition who have not been diagnosed.

People with AF are:

• five times more likely to have a stroke than those without it

• more likely to have severe strokes with worse consequences – it leads to increased risk of more brain damage and disability than those in people without AF

• twice as likely to die

• more likely to have another stroke

• not always aware they have it as not everyone experiences symptoms.

AF happens when the upper chamber of the heart (atrium) does not work properly and quivers preventing proper blood flow to the lower chamber (ventricle). This can cause blood to pool in upper chamber and clots can form. If a clot breaks away it can travel through blood vessels to the brain, get stuck in a smaller vessel preventing blood flow to the brain and result in a stroke.

The clinical lead for AF for the WMAHSN Dr Alex Meyer said: “More than 39,500 people throughout the West Midlands are unaware they have irregular heart rhythms and of the dangers that this can pose to their health.

“We have highly effective treatments that can significantly reduce the risk of strokes, but we need to find these patients in order for them to benefit. The NHS can now use cost-effective technology to identify people with irregular heart rhythms more effectively, enabling them to benefit from highly effective treatment. This will save lives.

“As the NHS approaches its 70th birthday this year, this is also a great reminder of the way that healthcare is continually evolving and innovating. Taking advantage of digital health solutions will be even more important for the next 70 years.

“Today’s new devices are just one example of the way that readily available user-friendly technology has the potential to further improve the quality of the fantastic work that we are doing in the NHS.”

Professor Tony Rudd, national clinical director for stroke at NHS England, said: “Cardiovascular disease kills more people in this country than anything else, but there are steps we can all take to prevent it.

“These innovations have enormous potential to prevent thousands of strokes each year, which is why NHS England has committed to funding the roll out of 6,000 mobile electrocardiogram (ECG) devices to help identify cases of atrial fibrillation so behaviours can be changed and treatment started before strokes occur.

“We are also encouraging people to learn how to check their own pulse so we can catch even more cases.”

The public are also encouraged to spread the word about irregular heart rhythms 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 or through new technology, with irregular rhythms investigated further by healthcare professionals.

Clinical Commissioning Groups and individual GP practices can apply for the devices, which have already been paid for by NHS England. Submissions are now open via the Meridian platform - https://meridian.wmahsn.org/active_campaigns. Applicants must register but it is free and easy to do so. The closing date for bids to WMAHSN is Friday March 2 and devices will be distributed later that month.

The hashtag being used to help raise awareness is #KnowYourPulse

Dr Carl Ellson, speaking on behalf of the three Worcestershire clinical commissioning groups, said: “The Worcestershire CCGs are currently reviewing the potential of this new technology and looking into what these devices may offer to those patients with suspected atrial fibrillation.

“Patients can also reduce their risk of stroke in two simple steps - getting their blood pressure taken at their local GP surgery or some pharmacies and checking their own heartbeat, simply by taking their pulse for 60 seconds. If they find they have an irregular heartbeat they should speak their local GP.”