Atrial Fibrillation
(Introduction to special issue)
The AFib Support Team
(Helping patients get the most out of life!)
Atrial Fibrillation
American
Senior Fitness Association president Janie Clark, MA, is pleased to be a
member of the new AFib Support Team, assisting persons who have been diagnosed
with the heart rhythm disturbance atrial fibrillation. Janie serves as the
team's senior fitness specialist and recently joined her fellow team members --
a cardiologist, a cardiological nurse, and a lifestyle gerontologist -- on a
special episode of Retirement Living Television's "Healthline" series, which was
dedicated to the subject of atrial fibrillation.
Led by host Kevin Soden, MD, the "Healthline"
special explains the meaning of AFib, includes the touching stories of real-life
patients, explores treatment options, and provides practical approaches for
living successfully with the condition. For more information about the program,
including short video excerpts, visit the Retirement Living Television website
at
http://www.rl.tv/shows/Healthline/.
Below is an exciting news release
describing the launch of the AFib Support Team initiative. It features links
where you can see and hear support team members briefly discussing atrial
fibrillation. It also includes a link to the AFib Support Team website, which
supplies detailed information about this prevalent health concern: atrial
fibrillation.
The AFib Support Team
National
Experts Team Up to
Help Americans with Atrial Fibrillation
“AFib Support Team” Offers Insights on Comprehensive
Approach to Management of Serious Heart Condition
Bridgewater, NJ — January 20, 2010
/PRNewswire/ — National medical and lifestyle experts have been brought together
by sanofi-aventis U.S. to help aging Americans learn to live life more fully
despite a serious and increasingly prevalent heart condition – atrial
fibrillation (AFib), a type of irregular heartbeat.
The “AFib Support Team,”
which comprises a cardiologist, cardiovascular nurse, senior fitness expert and
lifestyle gerontologist, will drive a national public awareness campaign that
provides concrete guidance to help those with AFib manage their condition.
AFib worsens underlying cardiovascular
disease and is associated with a five-fold increased risk for stroke, and
doubles the risk of death. Hospitalization associated with AFib has increased
dramatically (two-to-three fold) in recent years in the U.S. The condition takes
an emotional, physical and financial toll; more than half of Americans with AFib
find it disruptive to their lives. The AFib Support Team was created to help
patients in the comprehensive management of AFib by offering practical advice
and educational resources addressing the medical lifestyle and fitness
challenges associated with their condition.
“The impact of atrial fibrillation goes
well beyond physical health; it is a condition that affects patients’ everyday
life,” said Support Team member and cardiologist Bradley P. Knight, M.D.,
Director of Cardiac Electrophysiology, Northwestern University. “As healthcare
professionals, we understand the need to help patients address all aspects of
the condition to effectively manage AFib and improve their overall well-being.”
The Support Team addresses issues
including:
Understanding the various aspects of
the disease
Questions to ask healthcare
professionals during appointments
Preparing for travel
Developing a fitness plan with
healthcare professionals
Managing stress, and balancing a
career
Avoiding substances that can trigger
AFib episodes
Working with a cardiovascular nurse
to obtain information and support
Resources for patients with AFib developed
by the AFib Support Team are available online at
www.afibsupportteam.com.
They
include a guide to healthcare professional-patient dialogue and fact sheets to
help patients understand how to live life more fully with AFib. Approximately
3.1 million Americans are diagnosed with AFib, and an estimated 13 percent of
Americans over the age of 70 are living with the condition.
“Older Americans with AFib can continue to
live a full and active life, but they may need to make some modifications,” said
Alexis Abramson, Ph.D., Lifestyle Gerontologist. “Our Support Team offers
practical tips and advice for people with AFib to help them manage their disease
and continue with their daily activities.”
About the AFib Support Team
The Support Team will also participate in
events around the country, where people with AFib can interact with Team members
and local experts to learn more about managing their condition and build their
own local Support Team. The AFib Support team is sponsored by sanofi-aventis U.S
LLC. Healthcare professionals and experts providing information on behalf of the
AFib Support Team are retained and compensated for their services by
sanofi-aventis U.S.
The national AFib Support Team members
are:
Bradley
Knight, M.D. is a cardiologist specializing in heart rhythm disorders. Dr.
Knight is an editorial consultant for a number of scientific cardiology and
electrophysiology journals, a Fellow of the American College of Cardiology
and a Fellow of the Heart Rhythm Society.
Kathy Berra, MSN, ANP, FAANP, a
cardiovascular nurse, currently serves as clinical director for the Stanford
Heart Network at the Stanford Prevention Research Center. She is also a
cardiovascular nurse practitioner at Cardiovascular Medicine and Coronary
Interventions, Redwood City, California. Kathy is also past president of the
American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation and the
Preventive Cardiovascular Nurses Association where she currently sits on the
Board of Directors. She co-authored Heart Attack: Advice for Patients by
Patients, which was honored by Yale University Press as one of the top ten
books about heart disease in 2002.
Alexis Abramson, Ph.D. is often cited
as America’s leading, impassioned champion for the dignity and independence
of those over 50. Dr. Abramson is an inspiring speaker, corporate
consultant, successful author and award-winning entrepreneur and journalist.
Abramson has frequently appeared as the on-air expert Gerontologist for
NBC’s Today show and Weekend Today. Abramson holds both a master’s and a
doctorate in Gerontology, which she received from the University of Southern
California, the premier school of Gerontology in the world.
Janie Clark, M.A., a leading senior
fitness authority, is president of the American Senior Fitness Association (ASFA),
winner of the National Council on Aging 2009 Best Practice award for
Professional Education Programming. She has more than 25 years' experience
in the senior health-fitness field.
About Atrial Fibrillation
Atrial fibrillation is the most common
arrhythmia, or irregular heartbeat, seen by physicians and accounts for about
one-third of hospital admissions for cardiac rhythm disturbances. Because the
risk of AFib increases with age, the number of people affected is expected to
rise dramatically as the U.S. population gets older. It also costs the nation
approximately $6.65 billion annually, much of which could be attributed to the
increased hospital in-patient, emergency and medical services utilization rates
for people with AFib.
About sanofi-aventis
Sanofi-aventis U.S. is an affiliate of
sanofi-aventis, a leading global pharmaceutical company that discovers, develops
and distributes therapeutic solutions to help improve the lives of patients.
Sanofiaventis is listed in Paris (Euronext: SAN) and in New York (NYSE: SNY).
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American
Senior Fitness Association president Janie Clark, MA, is pleased to be a
member of the new AFib Support Team, assisting persons who have been diagnosed
with the heart rhythm disturbance atrial fibrillation. Janie serves as the
team's senior fitness specialist and recently joined her fellow team members --
a cardiologist, a cardiological nurse, and a lifestyle gerontologist -- on a
special episode of Retirement Living Television's "Healthline" series, which was
dedicated to the subject of atrial fibrillation.
Bradley
Knight, M.D. is a cardiologist specializing in heart rhythm disorders. Dr.
Knight is an editorial consultant for a number of scientific cardiology and
electrophysiology journals, a Fellow of the American College of Cardiology
and a Fellow of the Heart Rhythm Society.
