Health and Advocacy Leaders Raise Awareness of Atrial Fibrillation (Afib), a Costly and Misunderstoo

As Baby Boomers approach their Medicare years, a diverse group of healthcare leaders has joined together to launch AF Stat™: A Call to Action for Atrial Fibrillation (AF Stat), and to announce the formation of the AF Stat Working Group. 

This first-of-its-kind, national initiative aims to elevate understanding, diagnosis and management of atrial fibrillation (afib) among all those affected by this serious and increasingly prevalent cardiovascular disease. 

Characterized by irregular heartbeats or a rapid heart rate, afib is associated with a five-fold increase in stroke risk, worsens underlying cardiovascular disease, and doubles the risk of death. It also costs approximately $6.65 billion annually, largely due to increased hospitalization, and emergency room and medical care utilization.

The AF Stat Working Group includes:

• Electrophysiologist Eric Prystowsky, MD, as medical chair
• Cardiothoracic surgeon Senator Bill Frist, MD, as health policy advisor
• NBA Hall of Famer Jerry West, an afib patient
• StopAfib.org CEO Mellanie True Hills, an afib patient
• StopAfib.org and twenty-three other organizations, including the National Forum on Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention, the Heart Rhythm Society, the American College of Cardiology, and the American Heart Association 

Also released as part of AF Stat was the “Out of Sync: The State of AFib” survey  that measured physician, nurse and patient afib experiences and attitudes.

Read more:   Health and Advocacy Leaders Mobilize to Bring Attention to Atrial Fibrillation, a Costly and Misunderstood Cardiovascular Disease