Global Atrial Fibrillation Patient Charter and the Sign Against Stroke in AF Campaign Featured in EP Lab Digest

Global Atrial Fibrillation Patient Charter and the Sign Against Stroke in AF Campaign Featured in EP Lab Digest

By Mellanie True Hills

July 2, 2012

  • Summary: EP Lab Digest interview with StopAfib.org founder Mellanie True Hills about the Global Atrial Fibrillation Patient Charter and the Sign Against Stroke in Atrial Fibrillation Campaign launched recently at the World Congress of Cardiology in Dubai
  • Reading time: 4-6 minutes, which includes the article referenced

In the June issue of EP Lab Digest, StopAfib.org founder Mellanie True Hills was interviewed about the recent launch of the Global Atrial Fibrillation Patient Charter and the Sign Against Stroke in Atrial Fibrillation Campaign at the World Congress of Cardiology in Dubai. At the time of the launch, 70 patient orga­nizations and medical societies from 39 countries had endorsed the cam­paign.

The Global AF Patient Charter fo­cuses on five critical recommendations that encompass raising awareness of afib and strokes as well as pulse checks for earlier diagnosis, making afib care and stroke preven­tion a national priority, implementing widely-accepted guidelines, enhancing education and best practices around diagnosing and treating afib, and en­suring that those living with afib have access to appropriate care at the earliest possible time. If countries take ac­tion on these five recommendations, both the economic and social burdens of afib and afib-related stroke can be reduced in meaningful ways, translat­ing into great benefits for patients and healthcare systems.

Gathering signatures to demonstrate support of an issue is a tried-and-true way of compelling policy makers, national governments, and healthcare profes­sionals to take action. This is the cen­tral focus of the Sign Against Stroke in Atrial Fibrillation campaign, and will be used by endorsing organizations to gain attention to this problem within their own countries.

The long-term goal of Sign Against Stroke in Atrial Fibrillation is to gather 1.7 million signatures in support of the Charter — one for each of the esti­mated number of grandparents, moth­ers, fathers, aunts and uncles killed or disabled by afib-related strokes every year. These signatures will be used as a tool to inspire healthcare decision makers in countries across the world to take action. Demonstrating strong support behind the Charter recom­mendations will help put afib and afib-related stroke prevention at the forefront of national health agendas.

To read more, including how you can sign the Charter, access the article in either of these two ways:

Download reprint — Global AF Patient Charter and Sign Against Stroke in AF Campaign — 8 megabytes