Ceremony for leading Healthcare Pioneers

Ceremony for leading Healthcare Pioneers: The non-profit organisation Arrhythmia Alliance hosted an award ceremony at The Palace of Westminster, London, UK during World Heart Rhythm Week (05 June to 11 June 2023) to acknowledge leading clinicians as Healthcare Pioneers in their fields.

The SVT Pioneers report provides examples of good care to inspire centres across the globe to improve outcomes and quality of life for people with supraventricular tachycardia (SVT).

Supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) is a rapid increase in the heart rhythm that leaves people breathless and anxious. Diagnosis of SVT can be challenging because the irregular heart rhythm comes and goes, and, therefore, is difficult to identify unless an electrocardiogram (ECG/EKG) can record an episode at the time it occurs.

Another challenge is that despite treatment (e.g., medication such as beta-blockers), some people with SVT continue to have symptoms. In addition, some may stop taking medication because they cannot tolerate the side effects.

To inspire others to improve care standards for patients with SVT, Arrhythmia Alliance called for healthcare teams to showcase their exemplary work in SVT services.

A large number of Medical Centres and individuals applied to be considered and the case studies were reviewed by an international panel of expert judges, with the winners published in the report and recognised as a ‘Centre of Excellence’.

Board member and Medical Director of Arrhythmia Alliance, Prof Hugh Calkins from The Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, USA – “The aim of the report is to provide case studies to inspire centres around the world to improve care and quality of life for people with SVT. Arrhythmia Alliance is proud to announce winners for 2023 are from the UK, and the winning case studies demonstrate innovative approaches to managing SVT.”

Mrs Trudie Lobban MBE Founder of Arrhythmia Alliance says “millions of people daily suffer with worrying palpitations, hearts racing, breathlessness and overwhelming feelings of panic, for some it is so disabling they cannot work, exercise or lead normal active lives. Living in fear as to when the next attack may occur only adds to the ongoing anxiety and stress. Yet for many treatment restores the heart to its normal rhythm. Accessing experts and appropriate treatment can be challenging so identifying centres and publicising their work will help patients receive the latest treatments leading to better outcomes.”

A copy of the report can be downloaded from www.SVTpioneer.org

Arrhythmia Alliance

Arrhythmia Alliance is a coalition of patients, caregivers, healthcare professionals, policy makers and all those involved in or affected by cardiac arrhythmias (heart rhythm disorders). For more information, visit: https://heartrhythmalliance.org/aa

World Heart Rhythm Week

Arrhythmia Alliance World Heart Rhythm Week is an annual Awareness Week that focuses on raising awareness of all arrhythmias (irregular heart rhythms) including Sudden Cardiac Arrest, Atrial Fibrillation, and Syncope (unexplained loss of consciousness). For more information, visit: https://heartrhythmalliance.org/aa/uk/get-involved/world-heart-rhythm-week