407260LBH Health Matters.indd - London Bridge Hospital

CardiologyCity Heart WeekLaunches in JuneWith Free Heartbeat ChecksCity workers are being offered Free Heartbeat Checks this June as oneof London’s leading private hospitals embarks on a campaign to raiseawareness of Arrhythmia – abnormal heart rhythms.To coincide with the first ever‘CITY HEART WEEK,’ London BridgeHospital is joining forces with theArrhythmia Alliance to highlight this littleknown condition that affects up to onemillion otherwise healthy individuals.Throughout the week, the hospital’scardiac teams will be spreading the wordabout the importance of recognisingsymptoms, and offering City workersa free diagnostic test at its specialistoutpatient centre at 31 Old Broad Street.Dr Richard Schilling, ConsultantCardiologist at St Bartholomew's & TheRoyal London Hospital, says, “AlthoughArrhythmia is one of the top 10 reasonsfor emergency admission to hospital, thesymptoms can be very mild. For mostpatients, heart rhythm problems arenot very serious, but a few can have arisk of life threatening problems whichcan be prevented. A simple 30-minute‘echo’ test will easily identify those whoare at risk and need treatment.”The tests are being offered on a firstcome, first served basis to anyonewho has unexplained light-headedness,fainting or has a family history ofheart disease. In the event that anArrhythmia is discovered, the hospitalwill be able to advise patients on howto get medical help.London Bridge Hospital is part ofLondon’s leading private hospital groupand has an award-winning cardiac unit.More than 6000 cardiac patients aretreated every year at the hospital, andalso through its purpose-built outpatientcentre in Old Broad Street.John Reay, London Bridge, comments,“The majority of our patients areworking in the City and they aregenerally young, fit and well-educatedabout healthy lifestyles. They may notthink they are at risk of heart disease.The purpose of City Heart Week is tobuild awareness of heart conditions thatare more relevant to our City workers.”Throughout June, London BridgeHospital will be supporting their FreeHeartbeat Check campaign through CityGPs and a roadshow at mainline stations.Employers can also request an on-sitevisit. For more information on the week,please call London Bridge Hospital on:020 7234 2361. Alternatively, visit ourwebsite: www.cityheartweek.co.ukFor more information, please email:cityheartweek@hcahealtcare.co.uk19