Arrhythmias & electrophysiologyCross-sectional study
PULSE survey: Population Survey on Knowledge, Gaps and Perception of Heart Rhythm disorders—an initiative of the Scientific Initiatives Committee of the European Heart Rhythm Association
- Cross-sectional study
- 36-item online survey via social media
Conducted under the auspices of the EHRA Scientific Initiatives Committee with EHRA patient committee support
Authors' conclusion
Significant knowledge gaps regarding CA exist in the general population.
Study context
- Population
- General population (59% female, 90% European)
- Participants
- 3,924 participants
- Exposure
- Healthy vs cardiac arrhythmias (CA)
- Healthyn = 2,177
- CAn = 1,747
- Outcome
- Public perception of cardiac arrhythmias and knowledge gaps
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
Odds ratio
1.159
CI 1.005–1.337
P = 0.046
Females vs Males
OR 1.159 (CI 1.005–1.337); P = 0.046
- Reported fear of CA
- 81%
- Recognised HF as complication
- 82%
- Recognised stroke as complication
- 80%
- Recognised death as complication
- 75%
- Unaware CA can be asymptomatic
- 43%
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
Confidence identifying SCD and initiating cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)
| Comparison | OR (CI) | P value | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Retired | 0.574 (0.499–0.660) | P < 0.001 | |
| Southern Europeans | 0.703 (0.600–0.824) | P < 0.001 | |
| 0.512Odds ratio (log scale) |
- Confidence identifying SCD and initiating CPR — CPR training in past 5 years: 2.6 times more confident identifying SCD and 4.7 times initiating CPR
- P < 0.001
- Confidence identifying SCD and initiating CPR — Without CPR training, confident initiating CPR
- 15%
Symptoms and treatment among CA participants
- Severe to disabling daily symptoms
- 28%
- Asymptomatic, males vs females
- 20% vs. 9%, P < 0.001
- Treatment rates, comparable between sexes
- 81% vs. 79%, P = 0.413
- Interdisciplinary shared decision-making reported
- 4%
- CA self-diagnosed with wearable device
- 1 in 10
- Smartwatch use for self-monitoring
- 30%
Original publication
PULSE survey: Population Survey on Knowledge, Gaps and Perception of Heart Rhythm disorders—an initiative of the Scientific Initiatives Committee of the European Heart Rhythm Association. Europace. Published 31 March 2025. doi:10.1093/europace/euaf032
Summarised from the published abstract; every number is checked against it