Take time out of your busy day and make a Donation to an amazing cause. Shed some light on Heart Awareness
Take time out of your busy day and make a Donation to an amazing cause. Shed some light on Heart Awareness
This Atrial Fibrillation Awareness Week, Hearts4heart is encouraging Australians to get to know the signs of atrial fibrillation (AF), understand the potential impact and know when to take action.
An estimated half a million Australians are living with AF, an irregular pulse or heartbeat.1,2 The condition can increase the risk of stroke, with one in four strokes attributed to AF. Yet despite this risk, only 41% of Australians know an irregular heartbeat can increase their risk of stroke.3
New research* commissioned by Hearts4heart found just 2% of Australian adults can correctly identify all four key AF signs – a pounding or racing heartbeat, unusual tiredness, light-headedness or dizziness, and skipped or fluttering beats.3
In this video, Dr Geoff Lester demonstrates this simple, potentially lifesaving skill. Watch and follow him as he takes you through the steps.
If a very slow or very fast pulse is detected, visit your doctor and request a heart check with a stethoscope.
AF is when the heart’s upper chambers, the atria, beats abnormally. It occurs when there is a disturbance to the heart’s electrical system, resulting in an irregularly irregular pulse or heartbeat.1 This means the heart is not pumping blood around the body as well as it should, often leading to increased risk of stroke, heart failure or dementia.1,2
It is associated with high blood pressure, heart disease, obesity, alcohol consumption and other comorbidities such as type 2 diabetes and lung cancer.3 Increased risk can also be seen in some families.
AF can affect people in different ways and typically starts as short episodes, which can then become longer attacks overtime. This may eventually develop into permanent atrial fibrillation.
Treatment for AF will depend on your symptoms and individual risk factors and may include medicines, procedures or other approaches recommended by your healthcare professional.
Treatment options can include:
If you think your heartbeat may be irregular or something doesn’t feel right, speak to a GP or healthcare professional about your symptoms and heart health.
Hearts4heart has developed a range of resources for all Australians to read and share with their families and friends:
Atrial Fibrillation Awareness Week is a national Hearts4heart campaign raising awareness of the signs, diagnosis and complications of AF and helping Australians better understand when to take action.
This year, Hearts4heart is launching PULSE, alongside CEO Tanya Hall and Australian AF experts, to give Australians a simple way to remember the key signs of AF and understand the potential impact of the condition.
Atrial Fibrillation Awareness Week runs from 21–27 September 2026.
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