AN INSERTABLE heart monitor for stroke survivors is now available via the Medical Benefits Schedule (MBS).
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Stroke Foundation Clinical Council member Tim Kleinig said the small, paper clip-sized monitor helps stroke survivors identify causes with the aim of preventing recurrent strokes.
"There will be an estimated 56,000 strokes in Australia this year and the cause of about 15,000 strokes will go unexplained," Associate Professor Kleinig said.
"Of those who survive a stroke, almost half will go on to experience another stroke within 10 years, so anything we can do to help survivors find the cause of their stroke and manage it is potentially a life-saver."
The monitor assists physicians in diagnosing atrial fibrillation (AF) or irregular heartbeat - a condition difficult to diagnose as it often has no symptoms and may occur infrequently.
Professor Kleinig said people with the condition were five times more likely to have a stroke.
About 100,000 Australians are estimated to be living with undiagnosed atrial fibrillation.
Previously, the only available monitor was external and generally only able to detect abnormal rhythms for 24 hours.
