Keeping a pulse on prevention – how wearable devices can help address one of Australia’s biggest public health concerns

• An estimated half a million Australians have atrial fibrillation (AF), which is an irregular pulse or heartbeat.^1,2
• AF is a major public health issue. In 2020-21 an estimated $1.4 billion was spent on AF, making it the second most expensive cardiovascular disease condition in Australia.³

• Wearable devices such as smart watches can help identify possible AF symptoms, which can then be further investigated by a healthcare professional.⁴

­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­Monday 23 September 2024: Sydney is set to become the epicenter of cardiovascular innovation, as leading cardiologists from across the globe gather from September 26 to 29 for the 2024 Asia-Pacific Heart Rhythm Society (APHRS) conference. Coinciding with Atrial Fibrillation Awareness Week, a Hearts4heart initiative, this prestigious event is being held in Australia for the first time in nearly 10 years.

The conference will spotlight the latest advancements in electrophysiology and the future technological, clinical and research breakthroughs in the field of arrhythmia, which includes atrial fibrillation (AF).

Australia is a leader in AF risk factor management and contributed significantly to the latest iteration of the international AF management guidelines. However, nearly six per cent of Australians over the age of 55 are living with atrial fibrillation.^1,2 It is the second most expensive cardiovascular condition in Australia with around $1.4 billion allocated to atrial fibrillation cases every year.⁶

Associate Professor Chrishan Nalliah, a clinical academic electrophysiologist with MQ Health Cardiology, says the Asia-Pacific Heart Rhythm Society conference is an incredible opportunity to showcase the cardiovascular talent in Australia, as well as increase awareness of a condition which impacts more than 500,000 Australians.

“The Asia-Pacific Heart Rhythm Society conference is an incredible opportunity for those specialising in the field of cardiology in Australia. This event will have more than 2,500 cardiologists and electrophysiology physicians engaging in discussions around arrhythmia, spanning from fundamental research involving genetic and molecular advancements, to significant breakthroughs in device and lead technologies.

“When it comes to heart health management, people often think of implantable devices such as pacemakers, but wearable devices like smart watches and fitness trackers, can play a critical role in identifying underlying abnormalities of heart rhythm or other health parameters, which can drastically improve the diagnosis and management of atrial fibrillation,” commented A/Professor Nalliah.

“If left untreated, atrial fibrillation can increase the risk of stroke, heart failure and dementia.^1,6”

Hearts4heart founder and CEO, Tanya Hall, who is presenting at the conference, says her own experience of AF could have been treated and diagnosed much sooner if she’d had access to a device.

“More than 4.5 million Australians use a fitness tracker to monitor steps, sleep or energy output, but these wearable devices can also be a convenient way to detect heart irregularities.⁷ While it’s only an indication, if a wearable device detects an abnormal heartbeat, the user can then visit their GP for a heart check with a stethoscope to determine the reason for the irregularity.

“Hearts4heart research has highlighted that fewer than 1 in 3 (27%) people aged 57 or older had heard of atrial fibrillation. Mortality rates related to AF have almost doubled over the last two decades⁸, so being aware of the symptoms of AF is key to early diagnosis, stroke prevention and effective patient management,” stated Ms Hall.

Over half a million Australians are currently living with atrial fibrillation, and up to 30% of them may be undiagnosed.^1,9 One in four individuals over 55 years is at risk of developing AF.¹⁰ Even the fittest of us may be living with AF symptoms and excessive exercise like cycling and running may bring on atrial fibrillation.¹¹

AF can lead to serious health complications, including an increased risk of stroke, heart failure, and even dementia.^1,13 Anyone experiencing a rapid heartbeat or palpitations, dizziness, unexplained tiredness, shortness of breath, fainting, swelling of the ankles or chest pain, should speak with their GP about getting a heart check with a stethoscope.

To access resources and information about atrial fibrillation, please visit www.hearts4heart.org.au.

To access audio grabs, please visit: Audio News Release grabs

-ENDS-

For further information or to arrange an interview, please contact:

About hearts4heart

Hearts4heart is a non-profit organisation that supports, educates, and advocates for people with heart disease in Australia and New Zealand. Hearts4heart works to eliminate stroke and preventable deaths and improve the quality of life for patients and caregivers.

Bringing together patients and healthcare professionals to reduce the burden of heart disease, Hearts4heart provides targeted educational programs, resources, and services to improve diagnosis, treatment, and quality of life. To find out more visit www.hearts4heart.org.au

About the YouGov Research

The YouGov study Awareness of symptoms caused by Atrial Fibrillation surveyed a nationally representative sample of 1,014 Australians aged 18 years and older in between 7 to 9 August 2023. The survey was conducted using an online survey administered to members of the YouGov Plc Australian panel of 71,000+ individuals who have agreed to take part in surveys. After the survey's completion, the data was weighted by age, gender, and region to reflect the latest ABS population estimates

References

1. Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. Heart, stroke and vascular disease: Australian facts. Retrieved from https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/heart-stroke-vascular-diseases/hsvd-facts/contents/all-heart-stroke-and-vascular-disease/atrial-fibrillation
2. Stroke Foundation. Retrieved from https://strokefoundation.org.au/about-stroke/prevent-stroke/atrial-fibrillation#:~:text=Atrial%20fibrillation%20is%20associated%20with,no%20family%20history%20of%20it
3. Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. Heart, stroke and vascular disease: Australian facts. Retrieved from https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/heart-stroke-vascular-diseases/hsvd-facts/contents/impacts/expenditure-cvd
4. Atrial Fibrillation Institute. A guide to wearable ECG smart watches. Retrieved from https://afibinstitute.com.au/atrial-fibrillation-a-guide-to-wearable-ecg-smart-watches/#:~:text=by%20their%20watch!-,How%20do%20wearable%20ECGs%20differ%20from%2012%2Dlead%20ECGs%3F,type%20of%20abnormal%20heart%20rhythm
5. APHRS 2024. Retrieved from https://aphrs2024.com/
6. Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. Heart, stroke and vascular disease: Australian facts. Retrieved from https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/heart-stroke-vascular-diseases/hsvd-facts/contents/impacts/expenditure-cvd
7. Statista. Fitness trackers – Australia. Retrieved from https://www.statista.com/outlook/hmo/digital-health/digital-fitness-well-being/fitness-trackers/australia?currency=AUD
8. Xu J, Luc JG, Phan K3. Atrial fibrillation: review of current treatment strategies. J Thorac Dis 2016; 8: E886–900.
9. Deloitte Access Economics. Atrial fibrillation and the cost of preventable strokes. September 2011.
10. Elliott, A. D., Middeldorp, M. E., Van Gelder, I. C., Albert, C. M., & Sanders, P. (2023). Epidemiology and modifiable risk factors for atrial fibrillation. Nature Reviews Cardiology, 20(6), 404-417.
11. MSD Manual. Retrieved from https://www.msdmanuals.com/home/heart-and-blood-vessel-disorders/sports-and-the-heart/athlete-s-heart
12. Heart Research Institute. (2022). Link between Dementia and Atrial Fibrillation. Retrieved from https://www.hri.org.au/news/link-between-dementia-and-atrial-fibrillation-irregular-heartbeat