July 12, 2010 7:15 AM CT In this video interview, Dr. Emelia Benjamin talked about the risk factors for atrial fibrillation, including that the lifetime risk for women is 23% and for men 26%. In order to try to prevent it, the Framingham Heart Study developed a risk prediction instrument for atrial fibrillation that includes …
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July 6, 2010 8:05 AM CT By Peggy Noonan and Mellanie True Hills Roughly half of those who have obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) also have atrial fibrillation (AF). In obstructive sleep apnea, the airway becomes blocked during sleep, which causes interruptions in breathing. Although research hasn’t confirmed obstructive sleep apnea as a cause of atrial fibrillation, …
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June 23, 2010 8:05 AM CT By Peggy Noonan and Mellanie True Hills A late-breaking study, the North American STOP AF Trial, presented at the recent Heart Rhythm 2010, the 31st Annual Scientific Sessions of the Heart Rhythm Society, was a follow up to results published earlier this year. The STOP AF (Sustained Treatment of Paroxysmal …
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June 18, 2010 12:05 AM CT By Christine Welniak Doctors may now have another way to reduce the risk of stroke for their patients with afib. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the AtriClip Gillinov-Cosgrove Left Atrial Appendage Exclusion system for atrial fibrillation patients undergoing open heart surgery. Until now, individuals who …
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June 14, 2010 6:05 AM CT By Christine Welniak Atrial fibrillation is a progressive disease that can become more severe over time as AF “remodels” the heart. This results in multiple areas in the atrium that could become “triggers” for AF, areas where afib is initiated or can “re-enter” to cycle throughout the heart. The pulmonary …
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June 8, 2010 7:10 AM CT The Washington Post just did a feature highlighting atrial fibrillation, including treatments and evidence of results. It also included a poignant look at what afib does to patients. Mellanie True Hills, founder of StopAfib.org, was one of three afib patients featured in this article. This article was written by the …
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June 10, 2010 7:05 AM CT By Peggy Noonan and Mellanie True Hills Findings presented at Heart Rhythm 2010, the 31st Annual Scientific Sessions of the Heart Rhythm Society in Denver, Colorado, showed that catheter ablation treatment for atrial fibrillation could reduce the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias and reduce the risk …
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June 7, 2010 8:07 AM CT StopAfib.org is pleased to participate in, and raise awareness of, World Heart Rhythm Week June 7-13, 2010. World Heart Rhythm Week is the annual global event organized by Arrhythmia Alliance (A-A) and held in partnership with ICPES (International Cardiac Pacing and Electrophysiology). The week-long event brings international organizations, groups …
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June 4, 2010 12:17 AM CT By Christine Welniak and Mellanie True Hills The Second Worldwide Multicenter Survey on Catheter Ablation showed a catheter ablation success rate of 70% for atrial fibrillation, but that still leaves a significant number of people who continue to have afib even after a procedure. This can be disheartening to patients and …
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June 3, 2010 6:15 AM CT By Christine Welniak and Mellanie True Hills Healthcare providers at Heart Rhythm Society 2010 seemed to be grappling with what constitutes “success” following catheter ablation. Traditionally success has been defined as the absence of atrial fibrillation (AF) episodes and the ability to discontinue antiarrhythmic drugs. That is, success equates …
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