A national screening programme aimed at detecting atrial fibrillation (AF) in people over the age of 65, would be cost-effective if introduced in this country, the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) has said.

AF causes irregular and rapid heartbeats, which can make the heart less efficient at pumping blood around the body. This can lead to palpitations, breathlessness, dizziness, angina and the development of blood clots. Those affected are five times more likely to suffer a stroke.

As many as 40,000 adults over the age of 50 have the condition in Ireland. However, as there may be no symptoms, a person may be unaware they have it.

A simple pulse check can detect AF.

According to HIQA, the aim of AF screening is to detect the risk of stroke in a person as early as possible. It carried out a health technology assessment to assess the feasibility of a national programme, which would be carried out via primary care.

The implementation of an AF programme is one of the recommendations contained in the National Cardiovascular Policy 2010-2019.

"Based on the best available evidence, annual opportunistic pulse palpation for those aged 65 and older is expected to lead to reductions in the incidence and severity of AF-related strokes," commented HIQA's director of health technology assessment, Dr Máirín Ryan.

HIQA's analysis estimates that screening for AF would result in the detection of one additional AF case for every 22 people over the age of 65 screened. One stroke for every 270 people screened would also be avoided

"The total incremental cost to the HSE is approximately €3.7 million over the first five years. This includes the additional costs associated with screening ECGs and AF drug therapy in diagnosed cases, as well as the cost savings resulting from a gradual decrease in stroke incidence over a period of five years," Dr Ryan said.

HIQA's assessment of an AF screening programme can be viewed here