Atrial fibrillation experts from the Cleveland Clinic will answer your afib questions on June 13, 2011

Cleveland, OH — May 17, 2011

Summary: Take advantage of this rare opportunity to chat live on June 13, 2011, with atrial fibrillation experts from the Cleveland Clinic and the founder of StopAfib.org.

The most common irregular heart rhythm disorder is called atrial fibrillation (AF or AFib) and involves the two upper chambers (atria) of the heart. Some people may live for years with atrial fibrillation without any problems; however, it can also lead to heart failure, stroke and even death. Over 2 million Americans are affected by AFib and people with atrial fibrillation are 5 to 7 times more likely to have a stroke than the general population. Take this opportunity to learn more about Atrial Fibrillation, including diagnosis and treatments, and have your questions answered by Dr. Bruce Lindsay, Dr. David Van Wagoner and Dr. A. Marc Gillinov from the Cleveland Clinic and Mellanie True Hills, Founder and CEO of StopAfib.org.

Participants:

  • Bruce D. Lindsay, MD is Section Head, Cardiac Electrophysiology and Pacing at the Cleveland Clinic. His clinical research and publications have focused on identification of patients at increased risk for cardiac arrest, improved technology for implantable defibrillators, malfunctions of implantable cardiac devices, and advances in ablation of heart rhythm abnormalities.
  • A. Marc Gillinov, MD, is a staff cardiac surgeon at the Sydell and Arnold Miller Family Heart & Vascular Institute and the Surgical Director of the Center for Atrial Fibrillation at Cleveland Clinic. Dr. Gillinov has special expertise in minimally invasive mitral valve, aortic valve, and tricuspid valve surgery; robotic valve surgery; mitral valve repair; aortic valve replacement; surgical treatment and minimally invasive surgery for atrial fibrillation; off-pump coronary artery bypass surgery and high-risk mitral valve surgery.
  • David Van Wagoner, PhD, is a Translational Scientist who works with physicians in the Sydell and Arnold Miller Family Heart & Vascular Institute at Cleveland Clinic. As a scientist, Dr. Van Wagoner does not treat patients, but works closely with Heart Center physicians to research the mechanisms underlying atrial fibrillation, and to develop and assess new techniques for treating atrial fibrillation and other aging-related cardiovascular conditions.
  • The Cleveland Clinic doctors will be joined by Mellanie True Hills, Founder and CEO of StopAfib.org and the American Foundation for Women’s Health. Following a brush with death in emergency heart surgery as well as a near-stroke from a frightening irregular heartbeat in the same year, Mellanie True Hills pledged to use her second chance to help others avoid the #1 and #3 killers, heart disease and stroke. After being cured of her life-threatening irregular heartbeat, atrial fibrillation, she also launched StopAfib.org, a non-profit patient advocacy organization to provide information, education, and support for those living with atrial fibrillation.

Details:

Atrial Fibrillation Live Chat
Monday, June 13, 2011
12 Noon Eastern Time
(11 Central, 10 Mountain, 9 Pacific)

To sign up for this chat, please click on the “Register” button at: http://www.clevelandclinic.org/health/ChatReg/ChatPage.aspx?ChatId=1271

This Health Chat will open on Sunday, June 12, 2011 to allow you to submit questions. We will try to answer as many questions as possible during the chat. Please create an account to attend the chat and submit your questions.

Click Here to read the transcript from the Atrial Fibrillation Live Chat