Know your pulse this Rhythm Week

Netcare Milpark Hospital sought to educate visitors about arrhythmia and how to take their pulse as part of Rhythm Week from 3 to 7 June.

Rosebank Killarney Gazette spoke to cardiologist Dr. Promund Obel to learn more about arrhythmia and its risks to health.

Cardiac arrhythmia is a medical term to describe an irregular heartbeat or abnormal heart rhythm. According to Obel, warning symptoms of arrhythmia include dizziness or light-headedness and abnormal heartbeat, which make one feel as if their heart is racing. Accompanied by these feelings, people sometimes also experience fainting episodes.

“If you experience any of these symptoms, particularly if you are middle-aged, you should see a specialist. Don’t easily accept the diagnosis that this is an anxiety disorder,” said Obel.

If left untreated, arrhythmia can cause weakening of the heart muscle and heart failure and even sudden death or disability.

“People’s lifestyle can be significantly interfered with by palpitations they experience, which can prevent them from wanting to do simple things like boarding a plane or visiting a game reserve,” said Obel.

If you experience these palpitations, it is important to learn to take your own pulse and note when they occur and seek medical help.

Arrhythmia Alliance South Africa donated 40 blood pressure monitors with the ability to detect arrhythmia to Milpark Hospital. There were also competitions between each ward to see who could screen the most people.

Director of the alliance Glenda Nichols said, “The local community should learn how to take their pulse because it could save your life. This helps you to easily pick up abnormalities. While many arrhythmias are not life-threatening, this helps us to prevent sudden cardiac death.”

To find out more about arrhythmia

Related article: 

Netcare Milpark Hospital raises awareness regarding hand hygiene

Nurses are honoured at Netcare Milpark Hospital on International Nurses Day