Poland's largest educational campaign 'STOP STrokes' surprises again with another interesting project. This time, it is an educational video clip entitled "PLAYING IN THE HEART'S Rhythm". Its aim is to draw attention to atrial fibrillation in the context of the risk of stroke in people who suffer from such an arrhythmia. Through a musical metaphor, we learn about the sound of normal and abnormal heart rhythms.
"WE PLAY TO THE RHYTHM HEART",
to detect arrhythmia and prevent stroke
The bass guitar and drums are not the basic tools a cardiologist uses in his or her daily work, but - as it turns out - they can perfectly reflect how the human heart should work properly. This is what the organisers of the 'STOP STrokes' campaign had in mind when they prepared their latest educational video. It features Paweł Balsam, MD, PhD, from the Department of Cardiology at the Medical University of Warsaw, and musician, bassist and drummer Peter Somos.
Listen to the rhythm heart - the "inner drummer"
– I had no doubts about performing in this project, because although music and cardiology seem on the surface to be quite distant fields, despite appearances, there are many parallels in them - Paweł Balsam, MD, says. - It could be said that the heart is our "inner drummer", playing one of the most important roles in the ensemble that is the human body. For the body to function properly, it must work in the right rhythm. A rhythm that accompanies us throughout our lives, but unfortunately, busy and burdened with a thousand things every day, we do not pay it much attention. This rhythm is our heartbeat. If we are healthy, it is steady, regular and blends in perfectly with the play of other instruments. Then we feel that everything is in perfect harmony.
There are times, however, when the heart seems to rush, beating unevenly, circling, trembling and undulating. At first it slows down, then speeds up, takes pauses. If you feel an irregular rhythm, you should immediately check your condition for atrial fibrillation with your doctor. However, many people do not feel the symptoms of a heart arrhythmia, which is why it is so important to have regular checkups and benefit from medical checks. - And this is what the 'Playing in a Heartbeat' project aims to do: to raise awareness of the risk of atrial fibrillation, which can eventually lead to stroke, in a simple and illustrative way - adds the cardiologist.
Most common heart rhythm disorder - beware of atrial fibrillation
It is estimated that approximately 1-2 per cent of the world's adult population suffers from atrial fibrillation. In the United States and the European Union alone, this is about 9 million people, and in Poland about 600-700 000. The risk of atrial fibrillation increases with age. Recent epidemiological studies indicate that it affects almost ¼ of people over 65 years of age.
Atrial fibrillation results from a disturbance in the heart rhythm, which leads to rapid (above 300/min) and irregular electrical impulses, with the result that the atria do not contract in a coordinated manner, but twitch. The efficiency of blood pumping to the heart chambers then decreases, the blood lodges in the atria, resulting in the formation of thrombi, which flowing with the blood stream can reach the brain by occluding the lumen of the cerebral vessels. This is one of the main causes of stroke.
Take careso that your "inner drummer" plays for as long as possible!
– If you feel that your heart, to stay in musical terminology, is "playing an incorrect rhythm", you should contact your doctor as soon as possible - Cardiologist Paweł Balsam, MD, advises. - Early diagnosis of atrial fibrillation offers a chance to prevent strokes. The expert also points out that a healthy lifestyle will also help. So by maintaining a healthy body weight, eating healthily, not smoking, limiting alcohol and caffeine intake, and engaging in regular physical activity, we will significantly reduce the risk of these and many other diseases. On the other hand, people who have already been diagnosed with arrhythmia should take their doctor's recommendations to heart, take the prescribed medication regularly and remember to have regular health checks. All this so that our "inner drummer" can play the correct rhythm for as long as possible! - appeals to Paweł Balsam, MD.
The educational video 'GAMY IN THE HEART'S RITE' is available on the website: https://stopudarom.pl/o-kampanii/w-rytmie-arytmii-stop-udarom/ and on its profile https://www.facebook.com/StopUdarom/
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Stop Stroke" campaign was inaugurated in 2012. Its aim is to build public awareness of stroke prevention and to reduce its medical and social consequences. Each year, as part of the campaign, various educational activities are carried out in the areas of risk factors, prevention and recognition of stroke symptoms and effective intervention in the event of stroke. The campaign is initiated by Boehringer Ingelheim and partnered by the Brain Stroke Foundation and the Stroke Association - Support counts! The honorary patron of the campaign is the Polish Cardiac Society. For more information, visit www.stopudarom.pl
Atrial fibrillation - the facts:
- Atrial fibrillation is a dangerous condition that is the most common heart rhythm disorder and also one of the leading causes of stroke.
- In Poland, approximately 600,000-700,000 people suffer from atrial fibrillation. The risk of atrial fibrillation increases with age, with atrial fibrillation affecting as many as 23 % people over 65 years of age
- Measuring the pulse increases the detection of atrial fibrillation. If the pulse is irregular and an irregular heartbeat can be felt, see your doctor - prompt recognition of the condition is a chance for more effective treatment.
The most common symptoms of atrial fibrillation:
- Rapid and irregular heartbeat
- Heart palpitations
- Sensation of discomfort or pain in the chest
- Dizziness and fainting
- Excessive sweating and nausea
- Shortness of breath
- Feeling tired
- Weakening of physical fitness
Instructions for self-testing the heart rate:
Wanting to test the heart rateThe best way is to place the second, third and fourth fingers of the hand in a small depression on the inside of the forearm (close to the thumb), where the radial artery runs. The force of the pressure should be light, then the pulse will be felt under the fingers. Count the beats within 30 seconds. Multiply this number by 2 and you will then obtain the frequency of beats "per minute".
Correct heart rate should be regular and have a frequency between 60 and 80 beats per minute. If, for example, the heart rate was usually around 65 beats per minute and the next measurement shows an irregular heart rate of 100 beats per minute, an arrhythmia, such as atrial fibrillation, may be suspected.
Additional information:
PRIMUM PR:
Joanna Hryć - j.hryc@primum.pl, 602 212 076
Anna Wolska - a.wolska@primum.pl, 728 313 511