U.K. facing costly "epidemic" of heart pump disturbance.

2004 MAR 8 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- The U.K. is facing a costly "epidemic" of a heart condition known as atrial fibrillation, reveals new research. Conservative estimates suggest that costs have almost doubled in 5 years, soaring to over UKP 500 million in 2000.

Atrial fibrillation occurs when the electrical signals, which keep the heart pumping, become disturbed. The two upper chambers of the heart quiver, rather than pump, which allows some of the blood to pool (and clot) in the chambers, rather than being forced out. This increases the risk of stroke.

Atrial fibrillation is the most common of all the heart rhythm abnormalities, with around 1 in …