700 stroke can be prevented annually by screening for atrial fibrillation, according to estimates. – Paid by Helsediraktoratet during spring, promises Ministry of Health.
About 15,000 Norwegians contract stroke each year. It is the third most common cause of death and the most common cause of disability among adults.
Cardiac Fibrillation (AF) is an important risk factor for stroke. Under the National Stroke Conference in February suggested cardiologist and medical director for professional competence in NOMA Steinar Madsen to introduce screening for atrial fibrillation in the elderly in Norway.
According to Madsen calculations undetected atrial fibrillation could lead to about 2,000 stroke each year.
– There are approximately 100,000 in Norway that we know have atrial fibrillation and approximately 50,000 we do not know about.
– By starting screening that captures half of these, this will give about 700 fewer strokes, he said to ABC News.
He points to studies from Sweden, which show that by screening finds many who have undetected heart fibrillation, and thus can begin preventive treatment with blood-thinning medications.
New technology allows patients themselves can measure your heart rate’s using a so-called thumb ECG that can connect to your smartphone. Screening is now planned in Sweden, says Madsen.
– It turns out that this is very reasonable compared to other measures starting in health care, he said.
Read more : – Stroke and other brain diseases preventable
Labor: – Urgent
Labor believes there is good reason to investigate whether to have atrial fibrillation screening in Norway and thinks it urgent to initiate a study of the various ways to ensure effective prevention.
Torgeir Micaelsen (AP) Asked two weeks ago written question to Bent Høie (H) whether the Minister of Health will explore the possibility of a screening program .
– Stroke imposes large costs and suffering and we must be willing to adopt new technology, says Micaelsen, which is health policy spokesman of the Labor, told ABC News.
Høie: – Any considered
In his reply came Tuesday, writes Høie the Directorate is underway to revise guidelines for both treatment and rehabilitation following a stroke and prevention of cardiovascular disease.
“The Directorate of Health in revision of these two policies make an assessment of whether it is academic consensus on the site and how this topic may be incorporated,” writes the Minister of Health.
He also notes that the agency has been commissioned to establish an overall strategy and governance structure for all national screening programs.
“The question of the possible introduction of a national screening program to prevent stroke must therefore be considered in the management structure for screening programs now be established in the Directorate of Health. “
– Passive and vaguely
– I think the Minister of Health in its response takes a too passive role. He says that the Directorate of Health at a later date possibly can consider. Here should minister to take a much more active role to bring up possible solutions, says Labour’s Torgeir Micaelsen to ABC News.
About the missing money, think Micaelsen Parliament will be willing to allocate extra to consider a such a project.
– The key now is to quickly get an assessment of the case, but with Høies response is highly unclear whether this will happen with the first or not, he tells ABC News.
HOD: – examined during spring
– Høies answer can be perceived as that this is something that might be considered later. Is there any reason not to investigate this?
– There are so Directorate of Health has initiated a revision of the guidelines are for the treatment of stroke. Today is not preventive work, screening, part of the guidelines. In this revision comes Agency to assess whether screening is a good idea, corresponding secretary Anne Grethe Erlandsen (H) of the Health and Care Services.
While the overall guidelines for the treatment of stroke will work with throughout the year, will be considered in our screening, said she.
– It is under preparation now. Directorate of Health will come with an assessment of screening in the spring. There are professionals who do these assessments on the basis of the knowledge that exists, she says to ABC News.
She shows that screening programs generally require a lot of resources, and that we must be absolutely certain that screening provide enough power and good enough advantage before eventually introduce a new national program.
Read also: – Three to five cups of coffee daily protects the heart
– Good Høie grasps
Torgeir Micaelsen in Ap is glad to hear that the Ministry now insures that there will be a quick study of the possibilities for atrial fibrillation screening.
– It is good that Høie now takes action after getting some thought, he said to ABC News.
– Ap look forward to assessment comes quickly continues Micaelsen.
– Simple and inexpensive
Anne Hege Aamodt leader in Norwegian neurological association, supports the proposal screening.
– Atrial fibrillation is one of the most dangerous risk factors for stroke, but many do not know that they have atrial fibrillation because it often does not cause symptoms. If it is discovered that you have atrial fibrillation, they will have most impact preventive treatment with blood thinners treatment, explained neurologist recently told ABC News.
How screening should be conducted negotiable, says cardiologist Steinar Madsen.
– New technology means that there are easy ways to do this. There are small portable ECG devices that can connect to your mobile phone.
The device is not currently be purchased in Norway, but can be obtained for a hundred pounds in England. Madsen says that he has interest in technology patients who want to check this out on their own.
– I see no reason why they should not do it. But it is certainly reason to think about whether we should go in for national screening.
– Screening can be implemented in different ways. One can make people aware that they can screening itself, or it can be a public program or a combination of private and public diagnosis, Madsen says to ABC News.
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