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When I signed up to be an AF Ambassador, I didn’t think for one second that it would one day save my own life.

I volunteered to test pulses after discovering I had atrial fibrillation (AF), an irregular pulse,18 months ago. I was fighting a heavy cold and chest infection and was struggling to breathe so my wife and daughter urged me to get it checked out.

They took me to the Coronary Care Unit at Whiston Hospital where doctors found I had pneumonia, a lung clot and AF. I am so lucky that they found it – they told me I was just a week away from death.

After having cardioversion to slow my heart rate and anticoagulant therapy, my heart rhythm disorder seemed to be under control.

A friend who works for the Innovation Agency told me about the academic health science network’s programme to help detect AF which, if left untreated, can lead to stroke.

The Innovation Agency has a team of volunteer AF Ambassadors who test pulses in their communities to help detect irregular heart rhythms and signpost them to their GP - so I signed up straight away.

I was given training in how to use the Kardia Alivecor – a mobile ECG device – to test pulses and set about testing my family and friends, as well staff, players and fans at Halton Stadium where I am an assistant ground safety officer.

Then recently, I felt a weird feeling in my chest like I had butterflies in there. I suspected my heart had come out of rhythm again so I checked my pulse with the Kardia and it flagged up ‘possible AF.’

I am now waiting for a call from my consultant to let me know whether I need to have another cardioversion or cardiac ablation. Until then, I am taking tablets to control it.

Having seen first-hand how checking your pulse can save your life, I am more determined than ever to spread the message to others.

I work for NatWest Bank as a health and safety consultant and have joined the company’s national health and wellbeing team so I can raise awareness of AF and organise pulse testing for staff.

I also want to use my connections in rugby league and tell people they need to be “on the ball” when it comes to checking their pulse.

A lot of men avoid going to the doctors so it would be great to test players, staff and fans on matchdays. But I won’t stop at rugby, I am having conversations with various sporting organisations to get them on board – watch this space.

For more information or if you would like to volunteer as an AF Ambassador email Dr Julia Reynolds, Associate Director of Transformation, at Julia.Reynolds@innovationagencynwc.nhs.uk