Atrial Fibrillation Awareness — MyAFib.org
(updated March 12, 2012)
Calling attention to the need for more public education on the very serious heart health issue of atrial fibrillation — also known as AF or Afib — the Heart Rhythm Society is working to increase public knowledge about AF, the symptoms and warning signs and the treatments available. The Society has also designated September as Atrial Fibrillation (AF) Awareness Month.
About AF
AF is characterized by a rapid and irregular heartbeat caused when the top chambers of the heart (the atria) quiver (fibrillate) erratically, sometimes faster than 200 times per minute. The condition can severely depreciate an individual's quality of life, causing heart palpitations, chronic fatigue and debilitating pain.
AF can also increase the risk of stroke fivefold and is estimated to be responsible for 88,000 deaths and $16 billion in additional costs to the U.S. healthcare system.
As the population of the United States and other countries ages, the prevalence of AF is projected to increase — projections are that more than 5.6 million adults in the next 40 years will be diagnosed with AF. AF accounts for approximately one-third of hospitalizations for cardiac rhythm disturbances.
September is AF Awareness Month
The U.S. Senate first approved a resolution in 2009 designating the month of September as Atrial Fibrillation (AF) Awareness Month, reinforcing the need to raise awareness and garner support for initiatives affecting AF, a condition that impacts roughly 2.5 million Americans; on July 29, 2011, the Senate passed by unanimous consent S. Res. 243, Promoting increased awareness, diagnosis, and treatment of atrial fibrillation to address the high morbidity and mortality rates and to prevent avoidable hospitalizations associated with the disease — learn more »
AF Resources
New Educational Video! The Society has developed an educational video for patients and caregivers on Atrial Fibrillation. The video contains more than one hour of content, with chapters including Overview of AFib and Atrial Flutter, Signs and Symptoms, AFib and Stroke, Treatment Options, Living with AFib and more. Listen to personal patient stories and interviews with expert physicians and nurses. The full DVD will be available to order in early November 2011. View Chapter 1 »
New AF Awareness PSA. Designed to help the public understand what AF feels like, help them to recognize symptoms and to encourage them to seek the support of a doctor to discuss possible treatment options, the Society's new AF Awareness PSA, "A-Fib Feels Like," began airing on select television stations in the U.S. on May 20. Learn more and view the PSA »
Latest News
- September 26, 2011—September 2011 issue of HeartRhythm Journal focuses on AF
- September 2, 2011 —Society Featured in Chicago Tribune Cardiovascular Health Report President-elect Anne M. Gillis, MD, FHRS educates readers about AF and why they should care about the most common heart rhythm disorder.
- September 2, 2011 — "AF is the most common heart arrhythmia and, unfortunately, many people know very little about AF and just how serious it can be to someone's long-term health," said Bruce Wilkoff, MD, FHRS, CCDS, president of Heart Rhythm Society. Read complete press release »
