Join StopAfib.org and the Heart Rhythm Society in Kicking Off Cardiac Arrhythmia Awareness Month in Colorado with a Denver Citywide Event
April 29, 2013
- Summary: StopAfib.org, an advocacy organization for those living with atrial fibrillation, will join the Heart Rhythm Society to kick off “Cardiac Arrhythmia Month” in Colorado with a Denver Citywide Event on May 8 to raise awareness of potentially life-threatening heart rhythm disorders
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Dallas — On May 8, StopAfib.org will join with the Heart Rhythm Society and other organizations in kicking off “Cardiac Arrhythmia Awareness Month” in Colorado with a Denver citywide event. The event is to raise awareness of the signs and symptoms of potentially life-threatening heart rhythm disorders such as atrial fibrillation. If you’re in Denver, please come by to see us and bring family and friends. See details in the press release below.
Heart Rhythm Society Kicks Off “Cardiac Arrhythmia Awareness Month” in Colorado
Campaign to Raise Public Awareness about Serious Heart Rhythm Disorders, including Atrial Fibrillation and Sudden Cardiac Arrest
DENVER and WASHINGTON—April 29, 2013—Colorado Governor John W. Hickenlooper has proclaimed May to be Cardiac Arrhythmia Awareness Month (#RhythmAwareness), calling attention to the need for greater public awareness throughout the state about two serious heart rhythm disorders, atrial fibrillation (also known as AF or AFib) and sudden cardiac arrest (also known as SCA). To support consumer education about these potentially life-threatening disease states, the Heart Rhythm Society (HRS) has launched a Citywide Awareness Campaign in Denver to improve knowledge about symptoms, warning signs, and available treatment options. As part of its initiative, HRS will host a patient education event at Skyline Park on May 8.
What: The Heart Rhythm Society—a non-profit organization dedicated to advancing science, education, and advocacy for cardiac arrhythmia professionals and patients—is sponsoring a FREE patient education event in partnership with leading local health professionals.
The public is invited to Skyline Park to learn about the signs, symptoms, and treatment options for AFib, which affects more than 2.5 million people, and SCA, which claims more than 350,000 lives each year. This one-of-a-kind event will offer attendees an opportunity to learn more about these heart rhythm disorders, take a cardiovascular risk assessment, have their heart rhythms measured, meet one-on-one with physicians and allied health professionals to discuss their own risk factors, and learn about the signs, symptoms, and treatment options for heart rhythm disorders.
The event also will arm attendees with important takeaway information—including simple steps for monitoring one’s heart rhythm at home—that can close the gap between early detection and the life-threatening consequences if these conditions are left untreated.
Where: Skyline Park—Located on the corner of 16th Street Mall and Arapahoe near the Downtown Denver Information Center.
When: Wednesday, May 8, 2013 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. MDT
Why: More deaths occur each year as a result of SCA than breast cancer, lung cancer, or AIDS. However, according to a recent HRS survey, more than 65 percent of Americans not only underestimate the seriousness of SCA, but also believe SCA is a type of heart attack. In addition, despite affecting more than 2.5 million people in the United States, only 50 percent of Americans recognize AFib as a type of heart rhythm disorder. These findings point to a critical need for increased consumer education and awareness of these serious heart rhythm conditions.
“As this year’s host city for our scientific conference, HRS is committed to providing residents in and around Denver with education and tools critical to maintaining heart health,” said Anne M. Gillis, MD, FHRS, president of the Heart Rhythm Society. “Specifically, our research shows that there is a widespread lack of understanding about sudden cardiac arrest and atrial fibrillation, which can lead people to overlook or miss warning signs while the conditions are still treatable. The citywide awareness campaign aims to make Denver a shining example of how awareness and education not only can improve quality of life, but also save lives.”
The HRS Denver Citywide Awareness Campaign is made possible by contributions from sponsors including: Boehringer Ingelheim, AliveCor, eCardio, Boston Scientific, St. Jude Medical, Biosense Webster, Janssen Pharmaceuticals and GE. Event partners include StopAfib.org and the Global Atrial Fibrillation Alliance.
The Heart Rhythm Society’s 34th Annual Scientific Sessions, which will be held May 8-11, 2013 in Denver, will celebrate the history of the cardiac arrhythmia field and how the science, discovery, and innovation of the past and present are shaping our future.
About Sudden Cardiac Arrest
SCA occurs when the heart stops beating, abruptly and without warning. It is the leading cause of death in the U.S., claiming one life every 90 seconds. Unlike a heart attack, which occurs when a blockage in a blood vessel interrupts the flow of blood to the heart (in short, a “plumbing problem”), SCA is the result of an “electrical system” malfunction. If the heartbeat is not restored with an electrical shock immediately, no blood gets to the brain and death follows within minutes. Death from cardiac arrest is called sudden cardiac death (SCD) and accounts for about half of all heart disease deaths in the United States. In fact, 95 percent of people who experience SCA die as a result, mainly because treatment within minutes is not accessible. For more information about SCA, symptoms, risk factors, prevention, and treatment, visit www.StopSCA.org.
About Atrial Fibrillation
AFib is the most prevalent type of irregular heartbeat and impacts approximately 2.5 million people in the United States. AFib can also increase the risk of stroke fivefold and is estimated to be responsible for 88,000 deaths and $16 billion in additional costs to the U.S. health care system. The condition occurs when the electrical impulses in the atria (upper chambers of the heart) become erratic, replacing the normal rhythm. This causes the atria to quiver instead of beat, leading to poor blood flow and loss of synchrony between the chambers. AFib is characterized by a rapid and irregular heartbeat, sometimes faster than 200 times per minute, and while the condition is not in and of itself dangerous, if left untreated, the side effects potentially can be life threatening. In addition, the condition can severely depreciate an individual’s quality of life, causing heart palpitations, chronic fatigue and debilitating pain. For more information about AF, symptoms, risk factors, prevention, and treatment, check out the AFib Awareness PSA or visit www.myAFib.org.
About the Heart Rhythm Society
The Heart Rhythm Society is the international leader in science, education, and advocacy for cardiac arrhythmia professionals and patients, and the primary information resource on heart rhythm disorders. Its mission is to improve the care of patients by promoting research, education, and optimal health care policies and standards. Incorporated in 1979 and based in Washington, DC, it has a membership of more than 5,800 heart rhythm professionals in more than 72 countries around the world. For more information, visit www.HRSonline.org, voted 2012’s “Best in Class” website for a nonprofit by the Interactive Media Council.
Contacts:
Marisa Borgasano
Schwartz MSL
Boston
(781) 684-0770
[email protected]
Kennesha Baldwin
Heart Rhythm Society
(202) 464-3441
[email protected]