Having Atrial Fibrillation, means that you are five times more likely to be at risk of a stroke.
However, a number of simple checks can help people to detect if they are a sufferer. More than 40,000 people over the age of 50 in Ireland suffer from Atrial Fibrillation.
The foundation points out that the vast majority of suffers are unaware that they have it and that just 26% of the population have heard of it.
Medical director of the Irish Heart Foundation and consultant cardiologist Dr. Angie Brown said the condition is not life-threatening but can lead to serious problems if undetected.
"It is a serious condition and can lead to serious complications such as stroke and other heart problems. By knowing how to take your own pulse or by having it regularly checked, you can detect the condition," she said.
As a result, the Irish Heart Foundation is making people aware of how to check their pulse and to contact their doctor if the detect and abnormalities.
"The recommended normal heart rate is between 60 and 100 heartbeats per minute but some people can have heart rates over 100," said Dr. Brown.
"You should see your doctor if you have a persistent heart rate above 120 beats per minute or below 40 beats per minute," she added.
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