7,000 people in England admitted to hospital with a stroke last year were already known to have Atrial fibrillation (or AF) but not receiving proper therapy, Lord Black has told the House of Lords.

AF, a heart condition that causes an irregular and often abnormally fast heart rate, is both easily diagnosable and easily treatable with the correct medication medication yet can cause strokes. 

Lord Black has long campaigned to raise the issue of AF and campaign for better diagnosis and treatment. According to the NHS, it is the most common heart rhythm disturbance, affecting around one million people in the UK.

Lord Black asked the Government to ensure that all eligible patients with AF are prescribed anti-coagulation to help protect them from stroke and the devastating consequences that flow from that for them and their families. 

ENDS

Hansard source here.