Biomarkers To Aid Diagnosis of Irregular Heart Beat Identified

London: Researchers have identified two biomarkers that could help in the diagnosis of an irregular heartbeat condition that raises the risk of stroke. Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common heart rhythm disturbance, affecting over 30 million people worldwide. But it is often detected only after someone has had a stroke. The study, by researchers at the University of Birmingham in the UK, found three clinical risk factors and two biomarkers had a strong connection with AF, the BBC reported on Monday. Those most at risk of the condition were older, male and had a high BMI. One is a hormone secreted by the heart called brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) and the other is a protein responsible for phosphate regulation called fibroblast growth factor-23 (FGF-23). “The biomarkers we have identified have the potential to be used in a blood test in community settings such as in general practices to simplify patient selection for ECG screening,” lead author Yanish Purmah was quoted as saying. (IANS)

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