Supermarket trolleys equipped with sensors may hold the key to saving lives by detecting a heart condition that increases the risk of stroke, according to preliminary findings by UK scientists. The researchers explored the possibility of installing electrocardiogram (ECG) sensors, designed to monitor the heart's rhythm, on supermarket trolley handles to identify shoppers with atrial fibrillation, a condition characterized by an irregular and often abnormally fast heart rate.
During a two-month study, the scientists identified 39 individuals who were unaware they had the condition. Leading the study, Professor Ian Jones from Liverpool John Moores University's cardiovascular nursing department said: "That's 39 people at greater risk of stroke who received a cardiologist appointment. This study shows the potential of taking health checks to the masses without disrupting daily routines.”
Atrial fibrillation affects an estimated 1.5 million people in the UK and contributes to one in five strokes. Yet, the British Heart Foundation estimates that at least 270,000 individuals remain undiagnosed and unaware of their condition.
