A man from Belfast has spoken about being diagnosed with a heart condition after feeling "a bit rundown."
Mark took a test for Atrial Fibrillation (AF) after Northern Ireland Chest Heart and Stroke visited the hostel where he works to carry out health checks.
The test showed he had an irregular heart rate and he was advised to contact his GP.
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The next day, Mark's GP advised him to go to hospital, where he later had an AF related procedure. He now takes medication for the condition but said his diagnosis was a shock.
Atrial Fibrillation is the most common form of irregular heart rhythm, with the condition leading to an increased risk of stroke.
More than 39,000 people in Northern Ireland are living with the condition, and a further 10,000 may be undiagnosed, according to NICHS.
Mark was diagnosed with AF in September 2021. He said: "NICHS visited my workplace to carry out health checks.
"I had recently been feeling more tired than usual and a bit rundown, so I thought I’d take up the opportunity to have a check. The AF test showed I had an irregular heart rate and the NICHS team advised me to contact my GP as soon as possible.
"I spoke with my GP the next day but when they reviewed my results they advised I needed to go straight to hospital. I was retested at hospital and AF showed again so I was admitted for most of that day, being put on a drip and the necessary medication.
"After being discharged from hospital I was put on a waiting list for an AF related procedure which was carried out in December last year. I now continue to take medication for the condition."
Mark continued: "Without that health check from NICHS my AF might not have been detected until it was too late and I had suffered a stroke and I am thankful it didn’t get to that stage.
"I wasn’t expecting to be diagnosed with AF that day, it came completely out of the blue and was a shock. Anyone could be affected by AF and I want to raise awareness of the condition- I didn’t know about it until my diagnosis.
"I am glad I found out about my AF when I did, and I was able to seek help and treatment. The test was quick and easy but did a lot of good. I was treated within two months and have been able to get on with life."
Global Atrial Fibrillation Aware Week is currently taking place (21-27 November) and Northern Ireland Chest Heart and Stroke (NICHS) is using the week to call on the public to educate themselves about Atrial Fibrillation.
Fidelma Carter, Head of Public Health at NICHS explains: "Atrial Fibrillation, or AF, is a heart condition that causes an irregular and often abnormally fast heart rate. AF can also increase a person’s stroke risk by up to five times if untreated and the stroke is more likely to be severe.
"As a result of an irregular beat, the heart may not empty its chambers of blood at each beat, increasing the risk of a clot forming in the blood left behind which can then travel to the brain and cause a stroke.
"It is therefore important that the public both understand the symptoms of AF and, if they are diagnosed, they ensure that they are on appropriate treatment.”
Fidelma added: "We would urge anyone who is experiencing symptoms such as heart palpitations, tiredness and being less able to exercise, breathlessness, feeling faint or lightheaded or experiencing chest pain to make an appointment to see their GP.
"Due to the increased risk of stroke associated with AF it is vital that those who have been diagnosed are on appropriate treatment. Although AF is a serious condition, Mark is a testament to the possibility of being able to continue to live normally with the right treatment plan in place."
The NICHS team will be visiting Cookstown Leisure Centre this Thursday, November 24, from 10am to 5pm and will be delivering free, pop-in AF checks. The test is a simple, 30 second finger touch test.
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