CARDIOVASCULAR HORIZON SCANNING Volume 2 Issue 8

iPhone app ‘detects arrhythmia’

Source: Healthcare Republic

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Date of publication: August 2010

Publication type: News item

In a nutshell: The charity Arrhythmia Alliance, has launched an iPhone application called ‘Know Your Pulse’, which aims to detect signs of cardiac arrhythmia and therefore improve diagnosis. Users record their own pulse reading over 30 seconds and are then advised on whether they are suffering from an irregular or unusually fast or slow heartbeat. The Arrhythmia Alliance campaign aims to raise awareness of arrhythmia, and also remind healthcare professionals of the importance of conducting regular pulse checks during routine patient check-ups.

Length of publication: 1 webpage

Some important notes: Please contact your local NHS library if you cannot access the full text. Follow this link to find your local NHS library.

Cancer and cardiovascular models of care have been published

Source: Commissioning Support for London

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Date of publication: August 2010

Publication type: Report

In a nutshell: Commissioning Support for London (CSL) has been working with clinicians and patients to develop a new model of care for cardiovascular and cancer services in London. CSL found that certain areas of the service could be addressed to improve the patient experience and provide better clinical outcomes. The report focuses on three key areas: vascular surgery, cardiac surgery and cardiology. A summary of the proposed model of care for future cardiovascular service provision has been published and is available for consultation and comment until 31st October.

Length of publication: 35 pages

Some important notes: Please contact your local NHS library if you cannot access the full text. Follow this link to find your local NHS library.

Acknowledgement: NHS Improvement

Transforming cardiac rehabilitation: celebrating achievements and sharing the learning from the national projects

Source: NHS Improvement – Heart

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Date of publication: August 2010

Publication type: Report

In a nutshell: Exemplar achievements and key learning points from different Trusts, sharing their experiences of improving and redesigning cardiac rehabilitation services.

Length of publication: 48 pages

Some important notes: Please contact your local NHS library if you cannot access the full text. Follow this link to find your local NHS library.

Long work hours and physical fitness: 30-year risk of ischaemic heart disease and all-cause mortality among middle-aged Caucasian men

Source: Heart

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Date of publication: 6 September 2010 (online)

Publication type: Journal article

In a nutshell: From the Copenhagen Male Study, a cohort of around 5000 working men aged 40-59 years, were followed up over a period of 30 years. Men working over 45 hours per week who were the least physically fit were significantly more likely to die from ischaemic heart disease than even those who were working similar very long hours but had maintained intermediate or good levels of fitness into middle-age.

Length of publication: 2 pages

Some important notes: You will need an NHS Athens username and password to access this article. Please contact your local NHS library if you cannot access the full text. Follow this link to find your local NHS library.

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