A growing number of Australians could be living with a dangerous heart condition that can cause “the worst, most devastating strokes” — and they have no clue. Now scientists are fighting to prove the condition can be detected before it’s too late.
Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a heart rhythm disorder that increases the risk of heart failure and stroke, and has been linked to dementia. Every day, six Australians die due to AF, but symptoms can be vague, like breathlessness and a racing heart. It’s one of the most common heart conditions in Australia, and its prevalence in Aussies aged 55-plus is projected to double over the next 20 years.
“If you’ve reached the age of 40, you already have a one in three lifetime chance of developing AF,” Professor Ben Freedman OAM told nine.com.au. More than half a million Aussies currently live with it, but many more people may have undiagnosed cases that won’t be detected until a stroke occurs.
“These strokes tend to be at the worst end of the spectrum, devastating strokes that incapacitate and cause people to need chronic care,” Freedman said. “These are really the worst sort of strokes that you want to do without [and] I think we will prevent them.”
Despite the concerning statistics, there’s currently no national screening program for AF. Freedman, alongside researchers from the Heart Research Institute (HRI) and the University of Sydney, is trying to change that. They’re running the world’s largest clinical trial investigating whether systematic screening for AF can prevent stroke, and so far things look promising.
More than 600 Australians aged over 70 across NSW, WA and Tasmania have already taken part in the trial. Participants used a handheld ECG device at home to check their heart rhythm four times a day for three weeks. A number of previously undiagnosed cases of AF have been identified; cases that likely would have remained undetected until a stroke hit, if not for trial screening.
But the government isn’t ready to take the trial screening program national yet. “The government says ‘if you can show us you’ve got fewer strokes, and that it’s cost effective, we’ll fund it,'” Freedman explained. “It’s not enough to be a good idea that looks as though it’ll work, you have to prove it.”
Researchers at HRI and the University of Sydney intend to do just that. Freedman hopes to save older Aussies from debilitating strokes and save their families the emotional and financial cost of supporting that individual after a debilitating stroke. Reducing the number of strokes caused by AF could also ease pressure on nursing homes and aged care facilities, where many stroke patients end up.
The trial will run for another three years, after which Freedman hopes the government will back a national screening program like the existing breast cancer and bowel cancer screenings.
The potential benefits of early detection are clear. By identifying AF before it leads to a stroke, individuals can receive treatment that significantly reduces their risk. This includes medications such as anticoagulants, which help prevent blood clots that can lead to strokes.
Freedman emphasizes that the goal is not just to prevent strokes, but to improve the quality of life for Australians as they age. With an aging population, the importance of proactive health measures cannot be overstated.
The ongoing research is a critical step toward implementing a nationwide screening program that could save countless lives. As the trial continues, the hope is that the evidence will be strong enough to convince policymakers to act.
In the meantime, experts urge Australians to be aware of the signs and symptoms of AF. While some people may not experience any symptoms, others may feel palpitations, fatigue, or shortness of breath. If these symptoms persist, it’s important to consult a healthcare professional.
For now, the focus remains on proving the effectiveness of early screening. If successful, this initiative could become a model for other countries facing similar challenges with AF and stroke prevention.
