StopAfib.org joins with Heart Rhythm Society for “AFib Feels Like” Event in San Francisco on May 7, 2014
May 5, 2014
- Summary: Learn about atrial fibrillation at the Heart Rhythm Society “AFib Feels Like” event on May 7, 2014, in San Francisco. StopAfib.org founder, Mellanie True Hills, will speak about managing afib and advocating for yourself.
- Reading time: 2 minutes
If you are in the San Francisco area, the Heart Rhythm Society invites you to learn about heart health and atrial fibrillation.
Visit Crocker Galleria on May 7 for an opportunity to take a FREE, online cardiovascular risk assessment, meet one-on-one with health professionals and experts to discuss your risk factors, and learn the signs, symptoms, and treatment options for common heart rhythm disorders such as Atrial Fibrillation (AFib).
Come take part in a FREE 30 minute stress-reducing yoga session. Sessions start at 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. and will showcase ways to incorporate stretching and breathing into your regular day.
At 1:00 p.m., hear the founder of StopAfib.org share her experience with AFib and tips for coping and advocating for yourself.
In addition, come away with important information, including simple ways to monitor your heart rhythm at home, ways to eat for increased cardiovascular health, the importance of sleep for cardiovascular health, and to learn about new AFib clinical trials currently underway in San Francisco.
Attendees can also enter a free raffle for a chance to win a heart healthy cookbook, prizes, and gift certificates from Break Heart Massage, Project Juice, and EOS Sleep, and much more.
Join us for important information that can save your own life or the life of a friend or family member.
Details:
“AFib Feels Like” Event
Wednesday, May 7, 2014
10:00a.m. – 2:00p.m. PDT
Mellanie True Hills will speak at 1:00 p.m. PDT
Crocker Galleria
50 Post Street at Montgomery
San Francisco, CA
Event Partners:
- StopAfib.org
- SADS Foundation
- Global Atrial Fibrillation Alliance
- Stanford University
- Sutter Pacific Medical Foundation
- UCSF
Heart Rhythm Society to Host Free “What AFib Feels Like” Event in San Francisco
Campaign to Raise Public Awareness of Atrial Fibrillation, the Most Common Heart Disorder that Affects 2.5 Million Americans
SAN FRANCISCO and WASHINGTON—May 5, 2014—The Heart Rhythm Society (HRS), a non-profit organization dedicated to advancing science, education and advocacy for cardiac arrhythmia professionals and patients, has launched a citywide awareness campaign in San Francisco to improve knowledge about symptoms, warning signs and available treatment options for atrial fibrillation (also known as AF or AFib), the most prevalent type of irregular heartbeat that impacts approximately 2.5 million people in the U.S.
The free patient education event is set to take place at Crocker Galleria on Wednesday, May 7 from 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. PDT, in conjunction with the organization’s 35th Annual Scientific Sessions being held at the Moscone Center (May 7-10). The patient education event will arm attendees with information that will help them lead heart-healthy lifestyles and understand the common association between AFib and other prevalent medical conditions, including diabetes, stroke, chronic lung diseases and obstructive sleep apnea.
What: The event will also feature two FREE 30-minute yoga sessions starting at 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. to practice relaxation techniques and teach attendees about ways to live a healthier life, which can in turn create a healthier heart. At 1:00 p.m. attendees can hear from the founder of StopAfib.org, who will share her experience with AFib and tips for coping and advocating for yourself.
Attendees can also enter a free raffle for a chance to win prizes, including a heart healthy cookbook, gift certificates from Break Point Massage, Project Juice, EOS Sleep and much more.
Where: Crocker Galleria
50 Post Street (at Montgomery)
When: Wednesday, May 7
10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. PDT
Why: 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. 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. These findings point to a critical need for increased consumer education and awareness of this serious heart rhythm condition.
“While atrial fibrillation affects more than 2.5 million people in the U.S., many people don’t recognize the symptoms and fully understand the condition’s connection to other prevalent medical conditions they may already have like diabetes, chronic lung disease and obstructive sleep apnea,” said Hugh Calkins, MD, FHRS, CCDS, president of the Heart Rhythm Society. “Education is crucial in helping patients recognize and understand AFib symptoms earlier in the process to prevent more serious consequences from occurring and to learn about what lifestyle changes can be beneficial to make. This event has been well-received in other host cities, and we’re excited to bring this awareness event to the Bay Area.”
The HRS San Francisco Citywide Awareness Campaign is made possible by contributions from sponsors, including AliveCor, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Boston Scientific Corporation, Daiichi Sankyo, Inc., eCardio, iRhythm Technologies, Inc., Medtronic and Janssen. Event partners include StopAfib.org, SADS Foundation, University of California San Francisco, Sutter Pacific Medical Foundation, Stanford University, and the Global Atrial Fibrillation Alliance.
About Cardiac Arrhythmias and Atrial Fibrillation
Cardiac arrhythmias, or abnormal heartbeats, affect more than five million Americans and can be an important signal that something more serious is going on in a person’s heart. However, despite their prevalence and importance, arrhythmias are often misunderstood, mischaracterized and even misdiagnosed.
AFib is the most prevalent type of irregular heartbeat and impacts more than 2.5 million people in the U.S. 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 AFib, symptoms, risk factors, prevention, and treatment, please visit our 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
Follow HRS on Twitter (@hrsonline) and Facebook.
Contacts:
Kirsten Fallon
MSLGROUP
(781) 684-0770
[email protected]
Kennesha Baldwin
Heart Rhythm Society
(202) 464-3441
[email protected]