Beat the Odds Campaign Educates Public That 3 of 4 AF-Related Strokes Can Be Prevented; More Than Half of AF Patients Not Getting Life-Saving Medications

12/3/2003

From: Diane Mulligan-Fairfield of the National Stroke Association, 720-273-0927, http://www.stroke.org

ENGLEWOOD, Colo., Dec. 3 -- National Stroke Association is launching "BEAT THE ODDS": Reduce your chances of atrial fibrillation (AF) related stroke, a new public education campaign to raise awareness about the dangers of AF and the importance of preventing AF related stroke. AF is a type of irregular or "racing" heartbeat that can cause blood to collect in the heart and potentially form a clot, which can travel to a person's brain and cause a stroke or brain attack. AF increases a patient's stroke risk by 500 percent. When an AF patient suffers a stroke, the consequences are severe. In fact, more than 70 percent will die or have extreme permanent brain damage.

While an estimated 2.2 million Americans suffer from AF, more than one-third does not know they have the condition. Research shows that up to two-thirds of patients who have AF related strokes are not prescribed anti-coagulants or blood thinners when leaving the hospital. Although there are some risks associated with blood thinning drugs, doctors say they are minimal compared to the devastating effects of stroke. Despite this, too many eligible patients are being left at risk.

For example, according to a nationwide data obtained over a one-year period from The Center for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS), more than half of the 38,925 AF patients who were released from the hospital were prescribed anticoagulants. This is despite the fact that the majority of these patients had already suffered a stroke, and all patients were risk-assessed to be ideal candidates for an anticoagulant.

"Atrial fibrillation is one of our most common and potent risk factors for stroke, also one of the most treatable. Tragically in most patients it is not treated appropriately," says Dr. Lawrence Brass, a neurologist with Yale University and advisory board member for the National Stroke Association. "New advances in research will hopefully provide even more options for safe, effective and convenient life-saving therapy for patients at risk for stroke".

The National Stroke Association wants you to Beat the Odds by asking your doctor about the latest treatment in AF and how you can prevent AF related stroke. AF results in 70,000 strokes a year. The risk of an AF related stroke increases with age. Almost one out of three AF patients who are 80 years or older will suffer a stroke. Some common AF symptoms and risk factors include: heart palpitations, a sudden pounding or fluttering or racing sensation in the chest sometimes referred to as "butterflies, dizziness or light-headedness." However, some people recognize no symptoms at all.

Based in Englewood, Colorado, the National Stroke Association is a leading independent national non-profit organization devoting 100 percent of its efforts and resources to stroke -- including prevention, treatment, rehabilitation and support for stroke survivors and their families. For more information on stroke or any NSA programs, contact the National Stroke Association at 1-800-STROKES (1-800-787-6537) or visit http://www.stroke.org.

The Beat the Odds campaign is supported by an educational grant from AstraZeneca.