Companies join forces to promote AF awareness
pharmafile | February 16, 2011 | News story | Medical Communications, Sales and Marketing | AF, Multaq, Pradaxa, apixaban, atrial fibrillation
Boehringer Ingelheim and Sanofi-Aventis are to co-sponsor the World Heart Federation’s global atrial fibrillation (AF) education campaign.
AF AWARE was launched in 2009 with Sanofi’s support to highlight the links between the heart condition and severe conditions such as stroke and cardiovascular mortality.
Up to three million people worldwide suffer strokes related to AF each year, with half of patients dying within 12 months.
“Yet research shows there is a perceived lack of awareness and understanding of this condition,” said Johanna Ralston, chief executive of the World Heart Federation.
Using data from 10,000 AF patients, research has shown that nearly a third (29%) of AF patients had a cardiovascular event leading to unplanned hospitalisation in the last 12 months.
Part of the campaign’s raison d’etre is to promote education around the risks associated with AF as well as the importance of early diagnosis.
“It is critical that effective action is taken now for individuals living with AF and their families, to ensure the optimal management of the condition, reducing the number of strokes related to AF,” said Klaus Dugi, Boehringer’s corporate senior vice president medicine.
AF results from abnormal electrical activity in the upper chambers of the heart, leading to an irregular heart rhythm which prevents the blood from efficiently being pumped toward the rest of the body.
People living with the condition could be at risk due to diagnosis delay, poor adherence to treatment guidelines and lack of information, the World Heart Federation says.
“The AF AWARE campaign was established to specifically address the lack of awareness and endeavours to draw attention to this serious, chronic, disease, the consequences of which can have devastating effects on patients and healthcare systems,” continues Ralston.
The World Heart Federation will lead the initiative, working with SAFE (Stroke Alliance for Europe) and the Atrial Fibrillation Association, who co-launched the programme two years ago.
Adam Hill
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