A new report out from the Heart and Stroke Foundation says a quarter million Canadians have a type of irregular heartbeat called atrial fibrillation. They're also concerned that not enough patients are getting the right care, and may be at risk of dying.

The foundation says doctors also need to be aware of the increased stroke risk linked to atrial fibrillation and ensure patients are properly treated.

"Most patients with atrial fibrillation are treated with medications to either slow down the heartbeat or to stop the irregular beat from happening, or with a procedure called ablation," notes Dr. Paul Dorian of the Heart and Stroke Foundation.  "As a separate matter, most patients with atrial fibrillation are at some risk for stroke and need a blood thinner of some type to reduce the risk of stroke..."

Fifty-four-year-old Gordon Mackay is alive today because he received quick medical care following bouts of atrial fibrilation.

He brushed off the first occurrence, but not long after he realized something serious was going on.

"I found myself getting really woozy," he said.  "I didn't pay attention it to and I thought it was indigestion."

A few weeks later, he ended up in hospital, where the seriousness of his condition was revealed.

"Essentially I collapsed at home, I couldn't get up," he said.

X-rays revealed fluid building in his lungs, caused by the irregular heartbeat.

A link to the report and a list of the signs of a stroke you shouldn't ignore can be found here.

For more on strokes, click here.