MUNICH--(BUSINESS WIRE)--
Over 10,000 patients, caregivers, healthcare professionals, policy makers and the general public from 136 countries have signed the worlds only Global Atrial Fibrillation Patient Charter calling for government action to help prevent millions of people from dying or becoming disabled by a stroke caused by Atrial Fibrillation (AF).
Atrial FibrillationMore Dangerous than Sometimes Thought
Tens of millions of people around the world are affected by AF, an under-diagnosed, under-treated and potentially life threatening condition characterized by an abnormal heart rhythm. The irregular heartbeat of AF causes blood to pool and this can result in the development of blood clots these clots can potentially travel to the brain blocking the oxygen supply and triggering a major and often fatal stroke.
The CharterOutlining Strategies to Prevent AF-Related Stroke
The Global AF Patient Charter defines strategies and solutions to reduce the number of these preventable strokes. Support for the Charter and the Sign Against Stroke in Atrial Fibrillation campaign, has increased significantly since its launch just 18 weeks ago at the World Heart Federations World Congress of Cardiology in Dubai. In addition to the growing public support, 90 global, regional and national medical and patient organisations representing all regions of the world have endorsed the Charter, a demonstration of the importance of detecting AF earlier and ensuring people receive the best possible care.
All of the endorsing organisations are committed to supporting people with AF, stroke survivors and the medical professionals who care for them, said Maria Caporaso, from Stroke Alliance for Europe (SAFE). We want to draw greater attention and action from national governments to the need to prevent AF-related strokes as they are more serious than those resulting from other causes, meaning that they are more devastating to the families affected and have a bigger cost impact on national healthcare budgets. We encourage everyone to visit http://www.signagainststroke.com and sign the Charter!
Sign Against StrokeCommitted to Making a Difference
Whilst the Sign Against Stroke Campaign seeks to engage national governments to include AF-related stroke in national healthcare plans, endorsing organisations around the world are also taking steps to do what they can to implement the Charters recommendations. Patient groups, medical societies, physicians, and media from Poland to Mexico, and Germany to Indonesia have been working to drive public awareness through information campaigns, media coverage and discussions with national and local health decision makers regarding implementing Charter recommendations.
AF is IndiscriminateWe Must all Act to Prevent AF-Related Strokes