There has been an "astonishing rise" within the variety of folks within the UK identified with a coronary heart rhythm situation that places them at elevated danger of a stroke, the British Heart Foundation's medical director has stated.

The variety of folks identified with atrial fibrillation – a situation which causes an irregular heartbeat – has now handed 1.5 million for the primary time, figures present. It has elevated from a million in 2013.

The new whole signifies that one in 45 folks within the UK are recognized to be dwelling with the situation. Someone with atrial fibrillation is 5 instances extra prone to have a doubtlessly deadly or life-changing stroke, the BHF stated.

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Atrial fibrillation is the most typical type of irregular coronary heart rhythm and is believed to contribute to 1 in 5 strokes.

The BHF stated higher recognition and analysis of the situation is prone to be the important thing issue behind the rise within the variety of folks recognized to have atrial fibrillation. But it's estimated that there are at the very least one other 270,000 folks within the UK who stay undiagnosed and unaware.

The charity stated additional analysis is required to search out new methods to determine people who find themselves in danger to allow them to be identified earlier. The most typical signs of atrial fibrillation are palpitations, breathlessness and dizziness.

However, many individuals don't expertise any signs, that means that they're unaware of the situation and coverings, in addition to their elevated danger of stroke.

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