- An estimated half a million Australians are living with atrial fibrillation (AF), which is an irregular pulse or heartbeat.1,2
- Early detection is crucial for early diagnosis, accessing treatment and reducing the risk of serious AF-related complications such as stroke.3
- 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.1
- Hearts4heart announces new director, Dr Geoff Lester - a vascular and internal medicine physician, researcher, health economist, advocate and patient - as ambassador for its 2025 Atrial Fibrillation Awareness Week.
- Dr Lester says that knowing how to check your pulse to identify an irregular heartbeat could be lifesaving.
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Monday 22 September 2025: More than 110 Australians fall victim to stroke every day, with one-in-four attributed to atrial fibrillation (AF).1,2 This week, leading heart charity Hearts4heart’s new director and spokesperson for Atrial Fibrillation Awareness Week, Dr Geoff Lester, is helping to raise awareness about this condition, which is known to result in the most debilitating strokes and twice as likely to result in death.2
Dr Lester is passionate about raising awareness of AF, including symptoms, early detection and management, to prevent related strokes. With his personal experience of four open heart surgeries before he turned 40, Dr Lester hopes to draw attention to cardiovascular diseases like AF. He believes that equipping Australians of all ages with simple tools to detect possible signs of AF early is key.3
“Atrial fibrillation should no longer be considered a heart condition that impacts only people over the age of 65. The younger you are, the more you’re likely to think atrial fibrillation won’t impact you, and the more likely you are to ignore the early symptoms like a rapid heartbeat or palpitations, dizziness, tiredness or shortness of breath.
“In my new role as a director of Hearts4heart, I want all Australian adults to learn how to take their pulse. This can be a simple way to identify an irregular heartbeat in 30-seconds, one of the possible signs of atrial fibrillation,” said Dr Lester.
Atrial fibrillation is a heart condition in which the heart’s upper chamber, the atria, beats erratically. It occurs when there is a disturbance to the heart’s electrical system, resulting in an irregular pulse or irregular heartbeat.1 This means the heart is not pumping blood around the body as well as it should, often leading to increased risk of stroke.2
AF impacts more than 500,000 Australians, with up to 30% unaware they are living with the condition.1,2,4 AF-related mortality rates have doubled over the last two decades, costing the health system more than $1.4 billion dollars annually.4 It is the second most expensive cardiovascular condition in Australia, and a major public health issue.
Cardiologist and best-selling author, Dr Warrick Bishop, emphasises that early diagnosis of AF is crucial – it enables timely access to treatment, slows disease progression, reduces the risk of stroke and can support overall quality of life.3
“Many people are unaware they have atrial fibrillation until they have a medical incident. We can avoid this by empowering Australian adults to monitor their heart through quick and simple checks that they can do at home or work or while commuting.
“Atrial fibrillation is known to cause the most debilitating strokes but with early diagnosis and appropriate medical management, together with lifestyle changes and regular exercise, AF-related strokes are largely preventable,” said Dr Bishop.
This Atrial Fibrillation Awareness Week (22 – 28 September), Dr Geoff Lester, Hearts4heart CEO, Tanya Hall, who lives with AF, and experts across the country are helping to raise awareness about prevention, symptoms, diagnosis and complications related to AF.
“Although the consequences of unmanaged atrial fibrillation are serious, debilitating and often life-threatening, what we do know is that managing atrial fibrillation can be quite simple if it’s detected early.
“Because some people living with atrial fibrillation don’t experience symptoms, it’s really important all Australians – even those with excellent physical fitness – proactively and regularly check their heartbeat through a pulse check, a stethoscope check with their GP, or using a wearable device,” said Ms Hall.
If you think your heartbeat may be irregular, talk to your GP about atrial fibrillation.
To access resources and information about atrial fibrillation, please visit www.hearts4heart.org.au.
-ENDS-
For further information or to arrange an interview, please contact:
|
Roberta Sowden 0418 842 104 |
Lucy Byrne 0400 843 389 |
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
References
- Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. December 2024. 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
- Stroke Foundation. 2025. Retrieved from https://strokefoundation.org.au/about-stroke/prevent-stroke/atrial-fibrillation#:~:text=Atrial%20fibrillation%20is%20associated%20with,no%20family%20history%20of%20it
- Heart Research Institute. November 2022. HRI appeal for funds: Heart rhythm clues in regular pulse check could stop stroke. Retrieved from https://www.hri.org.au/the-latest/news/heart-rhythm-clues-in-regular-pulse-check-could-stop-stroke#:~:text=%E2%80%9CThe%20aim%20of%20the%20trial,by%20up%20to%20five%20times.
- Deloitte Access Economics. September 2011. Atrial fibrillation and the cost of preventable strokes.
Contact details:
Lucy Byrne, Palin Communications
[email protected], 0400 843 389
Roberta Sowden, Palin Communications
[email protected], 0418 842 104