Personnel Today
  • OHW+
  • Resources
    • Clinical governance
    • Disability
    • Ergonomics
    • Health surveillance
    • OH employment law
    • OH service delivery
    • Research
    • Return to work and rehabilitation
    • Sickness absence management
    • Wellbeing and health promotion
  • Conditions
    • Mental health
    • Musculoskeletal disorders
    • Blood pressure
    • Cancer
    • Cardiac
    • Dementia
    • Diabetes
    • Respiratory
    • Stroke
  • CPD
  • Webinars
  • Jobs
  • Personnel Today

Register
Log in
Personnel Today
  • OHW+
  • Resources
    • Clinical governance
    • Disability
    • Ergonomics
    • Health surveillance
    • OH employment law
    • OH service delivery
    • Research
    • Return to work and rehabilitation
    • Sickness absence management
    • Wellbeing and health promotion
  • Conditions
    • Mental health
    • Musculoskeletal disorders
    • Blood pressure
    • Cancer
    • Cardiac
    • Dementia
    • Diabetes
    • Respiratory
    • Stroke
  • CPD
  • Webinars
  • Jobs
  • Personnel Today

Fit for WorkCoronavirusConditionsCardiacStroke

Stroke risk fears as 1.5 million now have atrial fibrillation

by Nic Paton 19 May 2023
by Nic Paton 19 May 2023 An ECG scan showing atrial fibrillation (AF), or irregular heartbeat. As many of 1.5 million people in the UK now have AF.
Image: Shutterstock
An ECG scan showing atrial fibrillation (AF), or irregular heartbeat. As many of 1.5 million people in the UK now have AF.
Image: Shutterstock

The number of people diagnosed with atrial fibrillation (AF) has passed 1.5 million for the first time, putting them at greater risk of stroke, with hundreds of thousands more unaware they have the condition, according to new figures.

There has been a 50% increase in AF diagnoses since 2013, the figures from the British Heart Foundation (BHF) have also found. One in 45 people in the UK is now estimated to be living with the heart rhythm condition.

Someone with atrial fibrillation is five times more likely to have a potentially fatal or life-changing stroke, the BHF has said. AF is the most common form of abnormal heart rhythm and is believed to contribute to one in five strokes.

One factor behind the increase could be the Covid-19 pandemic, with some studies suggesting a link between the virus and increased risk of AF, especially for those who have been hospitalised with a severe infection.

However, the BHF has also linked the increase simply to better diagnosis and awareness of the condition as much as increased prevalence.

Atrial fibrillation

Unvaccinated at greater risk of death or heart disease following Covid

Study finds link between daily alcohol consumption and irregular heart rhythm

Long hours put workers at risk of irregular heartbeat

Nevertheless, the charity has warned that there are at least another 270,000 people in the UK who remain undiagnosed and unaware they may be at greater risk of stroke and other health complications.

The BHF has said further research is needed to find new ways to identify people who are at risk of atrial fibrillation so they can be diagnosed earlier.

The most common symptoms of atrial fibrillation are palpitations, breathlessness, and dizziness. However, many people do not experience any symptoms meaning that they are unaware of the condition and treatments, as well as their increased risk of stroke. AF can also be intermittent, increasing the challenge of identifying those who have it.

BHF medical director, Professor Sir Nilesh Samani, said: “These figures show a quite astonishing rise in the number of people diagnosed with atrial fibrillation.

Sign up to our weekly round-up of HR news and guidance

Receive the Personnel Today Direct e-newsletter every Wednesday

OptOut
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

“Research has helped us understand the links between atrial fibrillation and stroke and that has spurred the efforts we have seen in recent years to identify people with this potentially dangerous heart rhythm.

“What remains troubling is the sheer number of people who are undiagnosed and unaware that they are living with a heightened risk of stroke. Finding people with this hidden threat must remain a priority,” he added.

bespoke email
Nic Paton

Nic Paton is consultant editor at Personnel Today. One of the country's foremost workplace health journalists, Nic has written for Personnel Today and Occupational Health & Wellbeing since 2001, and edited the magazine from 2018.

previous post
Met Police cyber unit hit by recruitment crisis
next post
Covid-resignation driving examiner to have tribunal claim reheard

You may also like

Half of adults globally set to be obese...

3 Mar 2025

Brake pad dust more toxic than diesel exhaust...

14 Feb 2025

Employees able to get weight loss jabs through...

14 Feb 2025

BMI too simplistic as a measure for obesity,...

16 Jan 2025

AI-led algorithm being used to identify atrial fibrillation...

2 Jan 2025

NHS to test return-to-work ‘accelerators’ as part of...

9 Dec 2024

Government to develop men’s health strategy

3 Dec 2024

NHS Health Checks ‘not working’ and need reform,...

15 Nov 2024

Widespread ignorance of links between dental and physical...

23 Sep 2024

Weekend lie-in good for heart health – research

30 Aug 2024

  • 2025 Employee Communications Report PROMOTED | HR and leadership...Read more
  • The Majority of Employees Have Their Eyes on Their Next Move PROMOTED | A staggering 65%...Read more
  • Prioritising performance management: Strategies for success (webinar) WEBINAR | In today’s fast-paced...Read more
  • Self-Leadership: The Key to Successful Organisations PROMOTED | Eletive is helping businesses...Read more
  • Retaining Female Talent: Four Ways to Reduce Workplace Drop Out PROMOTED | International Women’s Day...Read more

PERSONNEL TODAY

About us
Contact us
Browse all HR topics
Email newsletters
Content feeds
Cookies policy
Privacy policy
Terms and conditions

JOBS

Personnel Today Jobs
Post a job
Why advertise with us?

EVENTS & PRODUCTS

The Personnel Today Awards
The RAD Awards
Employee Benefits
Forum for Expatriate Management
OHW+
Whatmedia

ADVERTISING & PR

Advertising opportunities
Features list 2025

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • Linkedin


© 2011 - 2025 DVV Media International Ltd

Personnel Today
  • OHW+
  • Resources
    • Clinical governance
    • Disability
    • Ergonomics
    • Health surveillance
    • OH employment law
    • OH service delivery
    • Research
    • Return to work and rehabilitation
    • Sickness absence management
    • Wellbeing and health promotion
  • Conditions
    • Mental health
    • Musculoskeletal disorders
    • Blood pressure
    • Cancer
    • Cardiac
    • Dementia
    • Diabetes
    • Respiratory
    • Stroke
  • CPD
  • Webinars
  • Jobs
  • Personnel Today