Pharmacists are to screen customers for undiagnosed atrial fibrillation using an iPhone ECG app and refer them on to their GPs for stroke thromboprophylaxis.

A feasibility study is being launched in which 10 community pharmacists will be trained to perform a pulse palpation on customers and record the result, then assess cardiac rhythm using an iPhone-based single-lead ECG device.

The Sydney University-based program will initially screen 1000 patients and aims to promote early detection of atrial fibrillation and thus help avoid stroke by the use of appropriate thromboprophylaxis.