A trial has found that grocery carts fitted with a special sensor can aid in identifying a concealed heart rhythm disorder that raises the risk of stroke.
The modified trolleys, which check customers' grip pulses for any anomalies while they shop, were distributed to local stores by Liverpool researchers.
More than 2,000 customers made use of them.
39 individuals were newly diagnosed with atrial fibrillation (AF) over the course of the study's two months.
They were then directed to see a heart specialist for guidance.
"This study shows the potential of taking health checks to the masses without disrupting daily routines," said lead researcher Prof. Ian Jones of Liverpool John Moores University.
"Nearly two-thirds of the customers we spoke with were happy to use a trolley, and the majority of those who objected were rushing rather than being concerned about being watched.
This demonstrates that the idea is broadly supported and merits testing in a larger study. ".
- AF is a condition where the heart beats chaotically or erratically and prevents the heart muscle from relaxing properly in between contractions.
- Heart palpitations and an erratic, rapid pulse are two symptoms of AF.
- However, in some cases, it goes undetected until a checkup.
- A stroke-causing blood clot in the heart is more likely to form in people with AF.
It is estimated that 40 million people worldwide and over a million people in the UK are affected by AF.
To reduce the risk of potential complications, such as a stroke, blood-thinning medication may be advised.
At a European Society of Cardiology meeting in Edinburgh, the trial's findings are being discussed.
Bristol Myers Squibb, a company that develops treatments for AF, provided funding for the study.
Ten trolleys with sensors in the handles, resembling those on exercise equipment at the gym, were positioned throughout four supermarkets with pharmacies.
The handle was asked to be held by customers for one minute.
An electrocardiogram (ECG) heart trace was taken and later reviewed by a cardiologist if a patient's heartbeat was found to be irregular after the in-store pharmacist manually checked their pulse.
Among these 220 are:.
- 115 had no indication of AF.
- 39 individuals lacked a diagnosis, and AF was found in 59.
- Readings on 46 were uncertain.
When no signs of an irregular heartbeat were present, the researcher manually checked the subjects' pulses; 10 of them were found to have AF.
