AF Stat™: A Call to Action for Atrial Fibrillation
As you may know, we are very passionate about raising awareness of atrial fibrillation. Back in 2007, we designated and registered September as Atrial Fibrillation Month.
Then starting in the summer of 2008, we engaged with other organizations to ask Congress to sponsor a resolution, which is currently in committee, that would officially designate September as National Atrial Fibrillation Awareness Month in the US.
When you’re passionate about something, you connect with others that share that passion. Over a number of months this passion has coalesced into an ever-widening group of organizations coming together to focus on raising afib awareness.
On May 18, 2009, twenty-four organizations launched AF StatTM: A Call to Action for Atrial Fibrillation. StopAfib.org is proud to have been a key contributor since the beginning of the AF Stat Working Group.
This first-of-its-kind, national initiative aims to elevate understanding, diagnosis and management of atrial fibrillation (afib) among all those affected by this serious and increasingly prevalent cardiovascular disease. Characterized by irregular heartbeats or a rapid heart rate, afib is associated with a five-fold increase in stroke risk, worsens underlying cardiovascular disease, and doubles the risk of death. It also costs the US approximately $6.65 billion annually, largely due to increased hospitalization, and emergency room and medical care utilization.
This massive effort wouldn’t have been possible without the tireless work of Dr. Eric Prystowsky, our medical lead, and the participation of the National Forum on Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention, the Heart Rhythm Society, the American College of Cardiology, and the American Heart Association.
We are very proud and excited that Senator Bill Frist, M.D., a cardiothoracic surgeon, has joined us as health policy advisor, and that noted NBA Hall of Famer Jerry West, who was a legendary basketball player, coach, and general manager of the Los Angeles Lakers, has also joined us to share his afib patient perspective.
And most of all, we are so very grateful that sanofi-aventis has helped these groups come together to make this afib awareness initiative happen.
Learn more about AF Stat and the Out-of-Sync survey, and see profiles of afib patients Jerry West and Mellanie True Hills, by following the links below:
- AF Stat press release
- Out of Sync: The State of Afib in America — national survey reveals that patients and healthcare professionals are “Out of Sync”
- Profile of atrial fibrillation patient Jerry West, NBA Hall of Famer, coach, and general manager of the Los Angeles Lakers
- Profile of atrial fibrillation patient Mellanie True Hills, founder of StopAfib.org
UPDATED 9-10-09: You’re invited to attend the AF Stat Webcast on September 16, 2009.
Learn more: Webcast for AF Stat™: A Call to Action for Atrial Fibrillation (Afib)
UPDATED 9-16-09: The AF Stat Webcast rolled out two new reports.
UPDATED 12-15-09: The AF Stat Webcast can now be viewed online.
Learn more: AF Stat™ Webcast Video Presents Priorities to Improve Atrial Fibrillation Patient Care