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Arrhythmias are a major UK health issue. Recognising this, an alliance of patients, carers, patient groups, community groups, healthcare professionals, government and allied professionals have come together in June to educate members of the public about “Knowing your pulse”.

In the UK, there are currently more than two million people with (diagnosed and undiagnosed) arrhythmias, including 1.2 million people with atrial fibrillation (AF). Sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) is the UK’s biggest killer, killing more people than lung cancer, breast cancer and AIDS combined.

The routine use of drug-eluting stents (DES) does not seem to be justified in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) since it confers a higher risk of major bleeding.

The first in our series on Landmark Trials reviews the debate on rate control versus rhythm control in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). This was addressed in the Atrial Fibrillation Follow-up Investigation of Rhythm Management (AFFIRM) trial (1) which was published in 2002.

More than 34,000 female health professionals participating in the Women’s Health Study were prospectively followed up over 12.4 years for incident atrial fibrillation (AF). There was a highly significant increase in risk across categories of both systolic and diastolic blood pressure.

Statins have antiarrhythmic effects, which may be due to their anti-inflammatory properties. A multicentre study from Sweden (1) evaluated the effect of atorvastatin in achieving and maintaining sinus rhythm (SR) after electrical cardioversion (CV) in patients with persistent atrial fibrillation (AF).

Results from the Action in Diabetes and Vascular Disease: preterAx and diamicroN-MR Controlled Evaluation (ADVANCE) study (1) show that, among patients with type 2 diabetes, those who have atrial fibrillation (AF) are at higher risk of death from any cause, cardiovascular death, major cerebrovascular events and heart failure compared to those without AF. The absolute benefit of lowering blood pressure is therefore greater among patients with both diabetes and AF.