Charity urges public to check for ‘silent’ conditions that can cause deadly strokes/ Mae elusen yn annog y cyhoedd i wirio am gyflyrau ‘mud’ a all achosi strociau marwol

The Stroke Association is urging the public to get checked for ‘silent’ health conditions including high blood pressure and atrial fibrillation which can cause a deadly stroke.

New data reveals in Wales over one in two (60%) stroke patients have high blood pressure and one in five (18%) have an irregular heart rhythm known as atrial fibrillation. [1] Both conditions are often without symptoms. The charity warns that missed diagnosis and lack of treatment, which has been exacerbated by the Covid-19 pandemic, could increase the number of strokes by thousands. [2, 3]

Ann Macdonald, 70 years old from Kidwelly had a stroke in November 2021. She collapsed and was unable to move or respond for 10 minutes. Not knowing what was wrong Ann’s daughter Esther called for an ambulance and they arrived three hours later.

Ann said, “It felt like I had fainted and I didn’t want them to fuss calling an ambulance but my daughter insisted and the paramedics said I should go to hospital as my blood pressure was very high which was unusual when fainting. It was during the pandemic so my husband Malcolm took me to A&E so I wouldn’t be alone. I was told they couldn’t do anything about my blood pressure and to go the GP. So I did and as I had a blood pressure monitor at home I was to record my blood pressure and to go back in a week’s time.”

Within 24 hours of visiting the surgery, Ann who was a childminder and also fostered children collapsed again and was rushed to hospital where it was discovered after numerous tests and an MRI scan that Ann had had two strokes.

“I didn’t have any symptoms of high blood pressure before that weekend and after the first time I collapsed, a stroke was not mentioned at all. It took a while to get my medication right to help control my BP in hospital and I spent 6 weeks on the stroke ward. Since my stroke I have memory issues and am lucky that my family insisted I went to the hospital and help me manage my BP. Using the monitor I have at home, I check my BP regularly to help reduce my risk of another stroke. After checking, my BP is again fluctuating and I am currently consulting with my GP to help control it and reduce the risk.”

“I had no idea I had high blood pressure and I would encourage others to check their BP as it could save your life.”

In Wales, around half a million people [1 in 7] have diagnosed high blood pressure [4-6]. However, it is estimated that high blood pressure actually affects around 15 million adults in the UK [8] This means one in three people with high blood pressure – are living with the condition undiagnosed. In Wales, around 80,000 people have atrial fibrillation [4-6] but it is estimated that there are at least 15,000 people aged over 65 with undiagnosed (or silent) atrial fibrillation across the country [7].

Leading British Doctor - Dr Hilary Jones, is a GP, presenter and writer, known for his television appearances on shows such as Good Morning Britain and Lorraine Association’s is backing the Stroke Associations campaign to urge the public to get checked for the ‘silent conditions’.

Dr Hilary Jones said: “It’s vital that you get checked for high blood pressure and atrial fibrillation so you can avoid a deadly stroke. In many people, these conditions often don’t have obvious symptoms – so taking the time to get checked could prevent a stroke. You can get your blood pressure checked at your local pharmacy, at an NHS Health Check appointment, at your GP surgery and at home.

“If you’re measuring your blood pressure at home, make sure you share your readings with your GP so they can regularly review your treatment. Checking your pulse is the first step to monitoring for atrial fibrillation. If your heart rate doesn’t feel right, talk to your GP. We know there are many cases of high blood pressure and atrial fibrillation that aren’t being diagnosed. But, if caught early these conditions can be treated with medicine or changes to your lifestyle, which can reduce your risk of a life-changing stroke.”

The latest data from the Stroke Sentinel National Audit Programme (SSNAP) also reveal [1]:

• Missed opportunities for diagnosis: In Wales 6% of stroke patients were newly diagnosed with atrial fibrillation, when they had their stroke
• Lack of appropriate management for patients with diagnosed risk factors for stroke:
  • In Wales, over a quarter - 29% of stroke patients who had a previous diagnosis of atrial fibrillation were not on anticoagulant medication and did not have a medical reason for not having treatment

The Covid-19 pandemic has had a huge impact on the entire health system, and whilst GPs have worked incredibly hard to maintain service during the pandemic, there have been fewer face to face appointments. Between March – May 2020, the diagnosis rate of cardiovascular conditions (including high blood pressure) almost halved, dropping to 43%. [8]

Stroke strikes every five minutes in the UK, and happens when the blood supply to part of your brain is cut off, killing brain cells. [9] High blood pressure is the single biggest risk factor for stroke – causing blood vessels to narrow or block, or to burst. [10] Atrial fibrillation is a type of irregular heartbeat that prevents your heart from emptying blood properly, causing blood clots which can travel to your brain. [11]

These two silent conditions are linked: high blood pressure is a significant risk factor for atrial fibrillation [12]. Furthermore, strokes caused by atrial fibrillation are more severe and are more likely to result in institutional care. [13]

Katie Chappelle, The Stroke Association’s Associate Director, Wales said: “Pre-pandemic, diagnosis rates of high blood pressure and atrial fibrillation were already low. So, we’re incredibly worried that the pandemic’s knock-on effect on healthcare services means thousands of people are unknowingly living with these deadly conditions and putting themselves at risk of a stroke.

“We are urging you to act now and make sure your heart is healthy by getting checked for high blood pressure and atrial fibrillation. Don’t let the first sign of high blood pressure or atrial fibrillation be a life-changing stroke. We know it can be difficult to get an appointment at your GP, but it’s vital that you persist when making this call, or visit your local pharmacy and get checked there. These simple checks could save your life.

“It’s also very concerning that there are differences in the diagnosis (and treatment) rates of these conditions, which is putting even more people at risk of a stroke. We want there to be fewer strokes and for the people affected by stroke to have the treatment and support they need to live the best lives they can. Through early diagnosis and effective management of these conditions, your risk of stroke dramatically decreases. So, make sure you get checked for these conditions. And if you’re worried about the treatment you are receiving, talk to your GP.”

“There are also other things you can do to keep your heart healthy. Regular exercise, eating a healthy, balanced diet and reducing your salt intake, all help to lower your blood pressure and reduce your risk of stroke.”

Go to the Stroke Association website for more information on high blood pressure and stroke and atrial fibrillation and stroke

To find your nearest pharmacy where you can get your blood pressure checked go to: Local Well Pharmacy / Lloyds Pharmacy

ENDS

For more information, please contact Laura Thomas, Communications Officer for Wales at the Stroke Association at laura.thomas @stroke.org.uk.

Notes to editors

Measurements for normal blood pressure:

Source [https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/high-blood-pressure-hypertension/]

Measurements for normal pulse range:

Source [https://www.nhs.uk/common-health-questions/accidents-first-aid-and-treatments/how-do-i-check-my-pulse/]

References

1. Sentinel Stroke National Audit Programme (SSNAP): October 2020-September 2021. Available at: https://www.strokeaudit.org/results/Clinical-audit/National-Results.aspx

2. Blood Pressure UK. What is high blood pressure? Available at: https://www.bloodpressureuk.org/your-blood-pressure/understanding-your-blood-pressure/what-is-high-blood-pressure/

3. British Heart Foundation. Atrial Fibrillation – Causes, symptoms and treatment. https://www.bhf.org.uk/informationsupport/conditions/atrial-fibrillation#heading2

4. NHS Digital Quality Outcomes Framework. Available at: https://digital.nhs.uk/data-and-information/data-tools-and-services/data-services/general-practice-data-hub/quality-outcomes-framework-qof

5. Stats Wales. Available at: https://beta.isdscotland.org/find-publications-and-data/health-services/primary-care/general-practice-disease-prevalence-data-visualisation/25-february-2020/dashboard/

6. British Heart Foundation. Heart Statistics. BHF Statistics Factsheet UK. https://www.bhf.org.uk/what-we-do/our-research/heart-statistics.

7. Lang A, Edwards F, Norton D, Semple L, Williams H. Using mobile ECG devices to increase detection of atrial fibrillation across a range of settings in south London. Future Healthc J. 2020;7(1):86-89. doi:10.7861/fhj.2019-00339.

8. Williams, R. et al. (2020). ’Diagnosis of physical and mental conditions in primary care during the Covid-19 pandemic: a retrospective cohort study’. Lancet Public Health, 5, pp. 543-50.

9. Stroke Association (2022) Stroke Statistics. Available at: https://www.stroke.org.uk/what-is-stroke/stroke-statistics

10. Stroke Association (2022) High blood pressure. Available at: https://www.stroke.org.uk/what-is-stroke/are-you-at-risk-of-stroke/high-blood-pressure

11. Stroke Association (2022) Available at: https://www.stroke.org.uk/what-is-stroke/are-you-at-risk-of-stroke/atrial-fibrillation

12. Ali AN, Abdelhafiz A. Clinical and economic implications of AF related stroke.J Atr Fibrillation. 2016; 8:1279. doi: 10.4022/jafib.1279

13. Verdecchia P et al. Hypertension and atrial fibrillation: Doubts and certainties from basic and clinical studies. Circ Res 2018 122(2):352-368.

Mae elusen yn annog y cyhoedd i wirio am gyflyrau ‘mud’ a all achosi strociau marwol

Mae’r Gymdeithas Strôc yn annog y cyhoedd i gael eu harchwilio am gyflyrau iechyd ‘mud’, yn cynnwys pwysedd gwaed uchel a ffibriliad atrïaidd, a all achosi strôc farwol.

Mae data newydd yng Nghymru yn datgelu bod gan fwy nag un o bob dau (60%) o gleifion strôc bwysedd gwaed uchel, a bod gan un o bob pump (18%) rythm calon afreolaidd a elwir yn ffibriliad atrïaidd. [1] Yn aml, nid oes gan y ddau gyflwr symptom. Mae’r elusen yn rhybuddio y gallai diagnosis a gollwyd a diffyg triniaeth, a waethygwyd gan bandemig yr haint Covid-19, gynyddu nifer y strociau o filoedd. [2, 3]

Cafodd Ann Macdonald, 70 mlwydd oed o Gydweli, strôc ym mis Tachwedd, 2021. Ymgwympodd ac nid oedd yn gallu symud nac ymateb am 10 munud. Gan nad oedd hi’n gwybod beth oedd o’i le, gwnaeth merch Ann, sef Esther, ffonio am ambiwlans, a chyraeddasant dair awr yn ddiweddarach.

Dywedodd Ann, “Fe deimlai fel petawn wedi llewygu ac nid oedd arnaf eisiau iddynt ffwdanu drwy ffonio am ambiwlans ond mynnodd fy merch, a dywedodd y parafeddygon y dylwn i fynd i’r ysbyty gan fod fy mhwysedd gwaed yn uchel iawn, oedd yn anarferol wrth lewygu. Roedd hyn yn ystod y pandemig, ac felly fe aeth fy ngŵr, Malcolm, â mi i’r Adran Damweiniau ac Achosion Brys, fel na fyddwn ar fy mhen fy hun. Dywedwyd wrthyf na allent wneud dim am fy mhwysedd gwaed, ac y dylwn fynd at y Meddyg Teulu. Felly, fe wnes hynny, a chan fod gennyf fonitor pwysedd gwaed gartref, roeddwn i gofnodi fy mhwysedd gwaed a dychwelyd ymhen wythnos.”

O fewn 24 awr o fod wedi ymweld â’r feddygfa, ymgwympodd Ann, oedd yn warchodwr plant ac a oedd hefyd wedi maethu plant, unwaith eto, ac fe’i rhuthrwyd i ysbyty lle y canfuwyd ar ôl profion niferus a sgan MRI fod Ann wedi cael dwy strôc.

“Nid oedd gen i unrhyw symptomau pwysedd gwaed uchel cyn y penwythnos hwnnw, ac ar ôl y tro cyntaf imi ymgwympo, ni chrybwyllwyd strôc o gwbl. Cymerodd hi gryn amser i sicrhau’r feddyginiaeth gywir i helpu i reoli fy mhwysedd gwaed yn yr ysbyty, a threuliais 6 wythnos ar y ward strôc. Ers fy strôc, rwyf wedi cael trafferthion cofio ac rwyf yn ffodus bod fy nheulu wedi mynnu fy mod yn mynd i’r ysbyty a’u bod wedi fy helpu i reoli fy mhwysedd gwaed. Gan ddefnyddio’r monitor sydd gennyf gartref, rwyf yn archwilio fy mhwysedd gwaed yn rheolaidd i helpu i leihau fy risg o strôc arall. Ar ôl gwirio, mae fy mhwysedd gwaed yn codi a gostwng eto, ac rwyf yn ymgynghori â fy Meddyg Teulu ar hyn o bryd i helpu i’w reoli ac i leihau’r risg.”

“Nid oedd gen i syniad bod gen i bwysedd gwaed uchel, a byddwn yn annog eraill i wirio’u pwysedd gwaed, gan y gallai arbed eich bywyd.”

Yng Nghymru, mae tua hanner miliwn o bobl [1 o bob 7] wedi cael diagnosis o bwysedd gwaed uchel [4-6]. Fodd bynnag, amcangyfrifir fod pwysedd gwaed uchel mewn gwirionedd yn effeithio ar oddeutu 15 miliwn o oedolion yn y Deyrnas Unedig [8]. Golyga hyn bod un person o bob tri sydd â phwysedd gwaed uchel yn byw â’r cyflwr heb ddiagnosis. Yng Nghymru, mae gan oddeutu 80,000 o bobl ffibriliad atrïaidd [4-6], ond amcangyfrifir fod yna o leiaf 15,000 o bobl dros 65 oed â ffibriliad atrïaidd heb ddiagnosis (neu fud) ledled y wlad [7].

Mae’r Meddyg Prydeinig blaenllaw, y Dr Hilary Jones, yn Feddyg Teulu, yn gyflwynydd ac yn ysgrifennwr, ac mae’n adnabyddus am ei ymddangosiadau teledu ar raglenni megis Good Morning Britain and Lorraine, ac mae’n cefnogi ymgyrch y Gymdeithas Strôc i annog y cyhoedd i gael eu harchwilio am y ‘cyflyrau mud’.

Dywedodd y Dr Hilary Jones: “Mae’n hanfodol eich bod yn cael eich archwilio am bwysedd gwaed uchel a ffibriliad atrïaidd fel eich bod yn gallu osgoi strôc farwol. Ymysg llawer o bobl, yn aml nid oes gan y cyflyrau hyn symptomau amlwg - felly, gallai cymryd yr amser i gael archwiliad atal strôc. Gallwch gael archwiliad o’ch pwysedd gwaed yn eich fferyllfa leol, mewn apwyntiad Archwiliad Iechyd y GIG, ym meddygfa’ch Meddyg Teulu a gartref.

“Os ydych yn mesur eich pwysedd gwaed gartref, gwnewch yn sicr eich bod yn rhannu’ch darlleniadau â’ch Meddyg Teulu fel y gall adolygu’ch triniaeth yn rheolaidd. Gwirio’ch pwls yw’r cam cyntaf i fonitro am ffibriliad atrïaidd. Os nad yw cyflymiad curiad eich calon yn teimlo’n iawn, siaradwch â’ch Meddyg Teulu. Gwyddom fod yna lawer o achosion o bwysedd gwaed uchel a ffibriliad atrïaidd nad ydynt yn cael diagnosis. Ond os cânt eu canfod yn gynnar, gellir trin y cyflyrau hyn â meddyginiaethau neu newidiadau yn eich ffordd o fyw, a all leihau’ch risg o strôc sy’n newid bywyd.”

Mae’r data diweddaraf oddi wrth Raglen Archwilio Genedlaethol ar gyfer Strôc Sentinel (SSNAP) hefyd yn datgelu [1]:

• · Cyfleoedd a gollwyd ar gyfer diagnosis: Yng Nghymru, roedd 6% o gleifion strôc newydd gael diagnosis o ffibriliad atrïaidd pan gawsant eu strôc.
• Diffyg rheolaeth briodol ar gyfer cleifion a gafodd ddiagnosis o ffactorau risg ar gyfer strôc:
  • Yng Nghymru, nid oedd dros chwarter - 29% - cleifion strôc oedd wedi cael diagnosis blaenorol o ffibriliad atrïaidd yn derbyn meddyginiaeth wrthgeulo ac nid oedd ganddynt reswm meddygol dros beidio â chael triniaeth.

Cafodd pandemig yr haint Covid-19 effaith ddirfawr ar y system iechyd gyfan, ac er bod Meddygon Teulu wedi gweithio’n anhygoel o galed i gynnal gwasanaeth yn ystod y pandemig, bu llai o apwyntiadau wyneb yn wyneb. Rhwng Mawrth a Mai, 2020, gwnaeth y gyfradd ddiagnosis o gyflyrau cardiofasgwlaidd (yn cynnwys pwysedd gwaed uchel) haneru bron, gan ostwng i 43%. [8]

Mae strôc yn taro bob pum munud yn y Deyrnas Unedig, ac mae’n digwydd pan fo’r cyflenwad gwaed i ran o’ch ymennydd yn cael ei dorri, gan ladd celloedd yr ymennydd. [9] Pwysedd gwaed uchel yw’r ffactor risg unigol mwyaf ar gyfer strôc – gan achosi pibelli gwaed i gulhau neu i gau, neu i rwygo. [10] Mae ffibriliad atrïaidd yn fath o guriad calon afreolaidd sy’n atal eich calon rhag gwagio gwaed yn iawn, gan beri tolchenni gwaed a all deithio i’ch ymennydd. [11]

Mae’r ddau gyflwr mud hyn yn gysylltiedig: mae pwysedd gwaed uchel yn ffactor risg sylweddol ar gyfer ffibriliad atrïaidd [12]. Yn ogystal, mae strociau a achoswyd gan ffibriliad atrïaidd yn fwy difrifol ac maent yn fwy tebygol o arwain at ofal mewn sefydliad. [13]

Dywedodd Katie Chappelle, Cyfarwyddwr Cyswllt y Gymdeithas Strôc, Cymru: “Cyn y pandemig, roedd cyfraddau diagnosis o bwysedd gwaed uchel a ffibriliad atrïaidd eisoes yn isel. Felly, rydym yn bryderus anhygoel bod effaith ganlyniadol y pandemig ar wasanaethau gofal iechyd yn golygu bod miloedd o bobl yn byw’n ddiarwybod â’r cyflyrau angheuol hyn ac yn rhoi’u hunain mewn perygl o strôc.

“Rydym yn eich annog i weithredu yn awr ac i sicrhau bod eich calon yn iach drwy fynd am archwiliad am bwysedd gwaed uchel a ffibriliad atrïaidd. Peidiwch â gadael i’r arwydd cyntaf o bwysedd gwaed uchel neu ffibriliad atrïaidd fod yn strôc sy’n newid bywyd. Gwyddom y gall hi fod yn anodd cael apwyntiad i weld eich Meddyg Teulu, ond mae’n hanfodol eich bod yn dyfalbarhau wrth ffonio am hyn, neu’n ymweld â’ch fferyllfa leol a chael archwiliad yno. Gallai’r archwiliadau syml hyn arbed eich bywyd.

“Mae o hefyd yn destun pryder mawr bod yna wahaniaethau yng nghyfraddau diagnosis (a thriniaeth) o’r cyflyrau hyn, sy’n rhoi hyd yn oed mwy o bobl mewn perygl o strôc. Mae arnom eisiau llai o strociau ac i’r bobl yr effeithir arnynt gan strôc gael y driniaeth a’r cymorth y mae arnynt eu hangen i fyw’r bywydau gorau y gallant eu byw. Drwy ddiagnosis cynnar a thriniaeth effeithiol o’r cyflyrau hyn, mae’ch risg o gael strôc yn lleihau’n aruthrol. Felly, gwnewch yn sicr eich bod yn cael eich archwilio am y cyflyrau hyn. Ac os ydych yn pryderu am y driniaeth rydych yn ei derbyn, siaradwch â’ch Meddyg Teulu.”

“Mae yna hefyd bethau eraill y gallwch eu gwneud i gadw’ch calon yn iach. Mae ymarfer rheolaidd, bwyta diet iach a chytbwys, a lleihau faint o halen a gymerwch oll yn helpu i ostwng eich pwysedd gwaed ac i leihau’ch risg o strôc.”

Ewch i wefan y Gymdeithas Strôc i gael mwy o wybodaeth am pwysedd gwaed uchel a strôc a ffibriliad atrïaidd a strôc

I ganfod y fferyllfa agosaf atoch lle y gallwch gael archwilio’ch pwysedd gwaed, ewch i: Well Pharmacy Leol / Lloyds Pharmacy

GORFFEN

I gael mwy o wybodaeth, cysylltwch, os gwelwch yn dda, â Laura Thomas, Swyddog Cyfathrebu Cymru yn y Gymdeithas Strôc, yn laura.thomas @stroke.org.uk.

Nodiadau i Olygyddion

Mesuriadau ar gyfer pwysedd gwaed normal:

Ffynhonnell [https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/high-blood-pressure-hypertension/]

Mesuriadau ar gyfer ystod pwls normal:

Ffynhonnell [https://www.nhs.uk/common-health-questions/accidents-first-aid-and-treatments/how-do-i-check-my-pulse/]

Cyfeiriadau

1. Rhaglen Archwilio Genedlaethol ar gyfer Strôc Sentinel (SSNAP): Hydref 2020-Medi 2021. Ar gael yn: https://www.strokeaudit.org/results/Clinical-audit/National-Results.aspx

2. Pwysedd Gwaed y DU. Beth yw pwysedd gwaed uchel? Ar gael yn: https://www.bloodpressureuk.org/your-blood-pressure/understanding-your-blood-pressure/what-is-high-blood-pressure/

3. Sefydliad Prydeinig y Galon. Ffibriliad Atrïaidd – Achosion, symptomau a thriniaeth. https://www.bhf.org.uk/informationsupport/conditions/atrial-fibrillation#heading2

4. Fframwaith Canlyniadau Ansawdd Digidol y GIG. Ar gael yn: https://digital.nhs.uk/data-and-information/data-tools-and-services/data-services/general-practice-data-hub/quality-outcomes-framework-qof

5. Stats Cymru. Ar gael yn: https://beta.isdscotland.org/find-publications-and-data/health-services/primary-care/general-practice-disease-prevalence-data-visualisation/25-february-2020/dashboard/

6. Sefydliad Prydeinig y Galon. Ystadegau’r Galon. Taflen Wybodaeth Ystadegau BHF y Deyrnas Unedig. https://www.bhf.org.uk/what-we-do/our-research/heart-statistics.

7. Lang A, Edwards F, Norton D, Semple L, Williams H. Defnyddio dyfeisiadau ECG symudol i gynyddu cyfraddau canfod ffibriliad atrïaidd ledled ystod o leoliadau yn ne Llundain. Iechyd y Dyfodol c J. 2020;7(1):86-89. doi:10.7861/fhj.2019-00339.

8. Williams, R. et al. (2020). ’Diagnosis of physical and mental conditions in primary care during the Covid-19 pandemic: a retrospective cohort study’. Lancet Public Health, 5, tudalennau 543-50.

9. Ystadegau Strôc (2022) y Gymdeithas Strôc. Ar gael yn: https://www.stroke.org.uk/what-is-stroke/stroke-statistics

10. Pwysedd gwaed uchel (2022) y Gymdeithas Strôc. Ar gael yn: https://www.stroke.org.uk/what-is-stroke/are-you-at-risk-of-stroke/high-blood-pressure

11. Y Gymdeithas Strôc (2022). Ar gael yn: https://www.stroke.org.uk/what-is-stroke/are-you-at-risk-of-stroke/atrial-fibrillation

12. Ali AN, Abdelhafiz A. Goblygiadau clinigol ac economaidd strôc yn gysylltiedig â ffibriliad atrïaidd. J Atr Fibrillation. 2016; 8:1279. doi: 10.4022/jafib.1279

13. Verdecchia P et al. Gorbwysedd gwaed a ffibriliad atrïaidd: Amheuon a sicrwydd o astudiaethau sylfaenol a chlinigol. Circ Res 2018 122(2):352-368.