Supermarket trolleys to help spot stroke risk

UK scientists are installing sensors on supermarket trolleys to help identify those at the risk of stroke as part of a study.

Researchers from Liverpool John Moores University are recruiting up to 2,000 people who will be using the trolleys while shopping at Sainsbury’s or Lloyds Pharmacy.

The sensors, which will be embedded in the handles of the trolleys, are designed to pick up an irregular heartbeat that leads to a condition known as atrial fibrillation. About 1.2 million people in the UK have atrial fibrillation, which can cause blood clots to form in the heart and increase risk of stroke.

Ian Jones, professor of cardiovascular nursing at Liverpool John Moores University, who is leading the study, said: “Around 30,000 people suffer a stroke each year as a consequence of a treatable, but often undiagnosed, irregular heartbeat.

“Using proven sensor technology, we are intending to check people’s heartbeat while they shop and, in doing so, we estimate we will save between 20 and 40 people suffering a stroke in the future.

“The problem is there are many people who are living with atrial fibrillation and are completely oblivious to this fact.

“So we wanted to explore whether people would actually use the trolley if we put a sensor in it – with people going about their shopping and no action required.”