‘Astonishing’ rise in Britons with an irregular heartbeat – these are the main warning signs

The number of people in the UK diagnosed with a heart rhythm condition that puts them at increased risk of having a stroke has topped 1.5 million for the first time. The British Heart Foundation said its analysis of NHS data on atrial fibrillation – which causes an irregular heartbeat – showed there had been an “astonishing” 50% rise in cases from a total of one million in 2013. The latest figure means one in 45 people in the UK are now confirmed to have the condition – but the charity fears a further 270,000 people remain undiagnosed and unaware.