Check your heart rhythm to prevent stroke

If you are 65 or over living in Lewisham borough, you can visit a local pharmacy to check your heart rhythm.  This is an easy test to do, placing your fingers on your smartphone camera for 60 seconds.

Which pharmacies can I get my heart rhythm checked at?

New Cross Pharmacy

  • Address: Waldron Health Centre, New cross, SE14 6LD
  • Contact telephone number: 020 8692 5807

Hatcham Pharmacy

  • Address: 399-401 Queens Road, London, SE14 5HD
  • Contact telephone number: 020 3826 5026

Krisons Chemist

  • Address: 506 New Cross Road, London, SE14 6TJ
  • Contact telephone number: 020 8691 0058

Lewisham Pharmacy

  • Address: 324 Lee High Road, London, SE13 5PJ
  • Contact telephone number: 020 8852 7438

Bentley Chemist

  • Address: 374 Brockley Road, London, SE4 2BY
  • Contact telephone number: 020 8692 1067

Crofton Park Pharmacy

  • Address: 435 Brockley Road, London, SE4 2PJ
  • Contact telephone number: 020 8291 5575

Ladywell Pharmacy

  • Address: 172-174 Adelaid Avenue, London, SE4 1JN
  • Contact telephone number: 020 8690 0327

Vantage Pharmacy

  • Address: 108-114 Conisborough Crescent, London, SE6 2SP
  • Contact telephone number: 020 8461 1130

Lee Pharmacy

  • Address: 19 Burnt Ash Hill, London, SE12 0AA
  • Contact telephone number: 020 8857 4265

Baum Pharmacy

  • Address: 10-12 Manor Park Parade Lee High Road, Lewisham, SE13 5PB
  • Contact telephone number: 020 8852 1374

Catford Pharmacy

  • Address: 185 Torridon Road, London, SE6 1RG
  • Contact telephone number: 020 8049 5131

Sheel Pharmacy Lewisham High Street

  • Address: 298 Lewisham High Street, Lewisham, SE13 6JZ
  • Contact telephone number: 020 8690 1311

Duncans Chemist

  • Address: 24 Bromley Hill, Downham, BR1 4JX
  • Contact telephone number: 020 8460 1425

Brook Pharmacy

  • Address: 109 Chinbrook Road, London, SE12 9QL
  • Contact telephone number: 020 8857 8980

Gokul Chemist

  • Address: 53 Baring Road, London, SE12 0JS
  • Contact telephone number: 020 8851 0572

Grove Park Pharmacy

  • Address: 344 Baring Road, London, SE12 0DU
  • Contact telephone number: 020 8857 5904

Woodlands Pharmacy

  • Address: 4 Edwin Hall Place, London, SE13 6RN
  • Contact telephone number: 020 8697 1798

Sheel Pharmacy

  • Address: 312-314 Lewisham Road, Lewisham, SE13 7PA
  • Contact telephone number: 020 8297 1551

Perry Vale Pharmacy

  • Address: 193 Perry Vale Forest Hill, London, SE23 2JF
  • Contact telephone number: 020 8699 7999

Lewis Grove Pharmacy

  • Address: 1 Lewis Grove, London, SE13 6BG
  • Contact telephone number: 020 8852 2282

Cambelle Pharmacy

  • Address: 83 Boundfield Road, Catford, SE6 1PH
  • Contact telephone number: 020 8697 0709

Cheltenham Chemist

  • Address: 20 Turnham Road, Brockley, SE4 2LA
  • Contact telephone number: 020 7639 5941

Why check your heart rhythm?

Many people who are over the age of 50 years have a heart rhythm that is too high or is missing a beat for a variety of reasons. An irregular heart rhythm could also be a sign of an atrial fibrillation (AF),

AF detection helps to identify people who are unaware that they are living with AF to receive medical support and lifestyle advice to prevent an AF-related stroke.

AF is not immediate life-threatening condition itself, but it can be an indicator for a bigger heart problem. AF increases a person’s risk of developing a stroke, and the episode can happen suddenly.  Not all patients may experience symptoms such as rapid heartbeat, pounding sensation of the chest, weakness or dizziness.

What causes AF

The underlying cause of AF is damaged tissue which can result from:

  • Ageing
  • Hypertension
  • Diabetes
  • Heart condition
  • Obstructive sleep apnoea
  • Thyroid disease
  • Drug and alcohol abuse

The tissue damage can cause a blood clot formation which can lead to a stroke.

What to expect when visiting the pharmacy to check your heart rhythm?

If you are 65 or over living in Lewisham borough, you can visit a local pharmacy to check your heart rhythm.  This is an easy test to do, placing your fingers on your smartphone camera for 60 seconds.

The pharmacy team will explain the test, then, obtain your consent. The team will then help you to download a FibriCheck application on your phone. The pharmacy team will also show you how to use the FibriCheck app to do the test, as well as manual pulse check on your wrist.

The FibriCheck application will enable you to measure your heart rhythm at least twice a day for 7 days. This is important to ensure that the electrical activity of your heart is captured.  After this, your results will be analysed by medically certified algorithm and sent to your pharmacist. You will need to contact the pharmacist for the heart rhythm test results.

Interpretation of the results

The results are grouped into Green, amber or red.

Red–   Maybe a possible atrial fibrillation, a copy of your results will be sent to your GP. Further investigation required by GP.

Amber – inconclusive – no immediate action is required, your GP can check your pulse on your next GP appointment.

Green – No irregularities detected, no action required.

Patients without a smart phone

If you do not have a smart phone, the pharmacist can signpost you to the nearest community hub where you can have a similar test done to check your heart rhythm.

Further resources