A number of organizations recently started an initiative to help the almost 7 million U.S. residents with atrial fibrillation (AF) not caused by heart valve issues understand their increased risk of stroke.
The initiative, “Tune in to AFib, Take Note of Stroke Risk,” was launched by Bristol-Myers Squibb and Pfizer Alliance, the National Stroke Association and iHeartMedia, according to a press release.
New York City's Q104.3 host Ken Dashow said in the release he was inspired to take action after a friend said he had atrial fibrillation.
“In my more than 30 years of experience in the music industry, I’ve learned that music has a powerful ability to inspire action," Dashow said in the release. "Through ‘Tune in to AFib,’ we’re urging people with AFib to take action by talking to their doctor about how to reduce their stroke risk."
Those with atrial fibrillation — the most common kind of irregular heartbeat — are five times more likely to experience a stroke than others, according to the release. Dr. David Frankel of the University of Pennsylvania noted that many atrial fibrillation patients show no symptoms and could benefit from greater awareness.
“’Tune in to AFib’ encourages these people to increase their knowledge of this serious medical condition, recognize their increased stroke risk and work with their doctor to help reduce this risk,” Frankel said in the release.
The initiative also includes a website and online quiz. Bristol-Myers Squibb and Pfizer Alliance pledged a $1 donation to the National Stroke Association for every person who completes the quiz, up to $30,000, the release said.
