A new study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association finds a potential warning sign for three heart rhythm issues—the risk of atrial fibrillation, the need for a pacemaker, and the risk of death.

When EKGs show a prolonged PR interval, that is traditionally considered relatively benign, but that may not be the case. Increases in the length of the PR interval may actually be a warning about the patient’s atrial fibrillation risk, need for a pacemaker, or even death.

Learn more: EKG Warns of Potential Atrial Fibrillation Risk

Tags: Prevention, Risk, Symptoms by Mellanie
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A new study just published in the Archives of Internal Medicine showed that increasing severity of sleep apnea is associated with a progressively increasing risk of atrial fibrillation and ventricular arrhythmias.

The type of sleep apnea matters:

• Obstructive sleep apnea is associated with an increased risk of ventricular events
• Central sleep apnea is common in heart failure and is associated with an increased risk of atrial fibrillation

It’s possible that treating sleep apnea could improve the arrhythmia, but there’s currently no proof of that. The study was done on men, but likely applies to women, too.

To learn more, read: Sleep Apnea Severity Increases the Risk of Atrial Fibrillation and Ventricular Arrhythmias

Tags: Causes or Triggers, Prevention, Risk, Symptoms by Mellanie
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UPDATED 6-30-09: Study is now complete. 

An afib research study is looking for afib patients who are near San Francisco, Cincinnati, or New Jersey/New York and who have taken certain anti-arrhythmic medications (Flecainide, Rythmol, Propafenone, and similar). They are offering an honorarium for your time. Find out if you qualify at:

Atrial Fibrillation Research Study Seeks Afib Patients near San Francisco, Cincinnati, and New Jersey

Tags: Study, Treatment by Mellanie
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We recently mentioned that StopAfib.org is a proud member of AF Stat^TM: A Call to Action for Atrial Fibrillation. It’s exciting to have 24 organizations, along with Dr. Eric Prystowsky, Senator Bill Frist, MD, and NBA Hall of Famer Jerry West, working together to raise afib awareness.

To learn more: About AF Stat and see the newly-posted profiles of afib patients Jerry West and Mellanie True Hills

In addition, you can help raise awareness of afib by contacting your Congressman or Congresswoman. You will find details here:

Ask Your U.S. Representative to Support Atrial Fibrillation Awareness Month

Tags: Advocacy, Mellanie True Hills, Patient Stories by Mellanie
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StopAfib.org now has more atrial fibrillation information, updated references, and some sections have even been expanded. There are updates throughout, but especially check out the following areas:

• What is Afib - Updated throughout, especially What Causes Afib
• Can Afib be Cured - Updated and expanded catheter ablation and maze procedure sections and an updated mini maze procedure section
• Patient & Caregiver Resources - More afib patient resources and categories

We hope you enjoy the new StopAfib.org, the atrial fibrillation patient resource for you and your family. We’re for patients by patients.  

Tags: Catheter ablation, Surgery, Treatment by Mellanie
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Do you follow tweets on Twitter? If you’re an afibber and information-junkie like me, you may like this list of folks that I follow who tweet on atrial fibrillation or afib-related topics or breaking health and medical news.

See: Twitter: Atrial Fibrillation Tweets

Tags: Resources by Mellanie
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Eric Oddleifson, a member of the afib patient community, reported from a session at the Heart Rhythm 2009 AF Summit where Dr. James Edgerton presented findings and recommendations on post-procedure monitoring.

After ablation, some doctors rely on patient self-reporting, which can be inaccurate 50% of the time due to silent afib. Through various analyses, Dr. Edgerton reported that a 14-day Holter monitor at regular intervals for a minimum of a year was determined to be most efficacious for post-ablation monitoring.

This is extremely important for determining both the success of the procedure and making decisions regarding discontinuing medication.

If you’re considering a procedure, you’ll want to read Eric’s report.

Read: Be Proactive About Monitoring After Your Atrial Fibrillation Ablation: Report from Heart Rhythm 2009 AF Summit By Eric Oddleifson, Guest Reporter for StopAfib.org

Tags: Catheter ablation, Surgery, Treatment by Mellanie
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The “Out of Sync: The State of Afib in America” survey compared the perspectives of patients who have been diagnosed with afib, and the physicians and nurses who treat afib patients. The results revealed a clear disconnect between medical professionals and patients about their understanding of afib risks.

According to the survey:

• Less than half of afib patients recognize atrial fibrillation’s serious health consequences, particularly their increased risk of stroke and heart failure. While almost all physicians (97 percent) think their afib patients are at severe/moderate risk of stroke, less than half (45 percent) of afib patients think they are at risk.
• While more than 90 percent of doctors and nurses say they often or always discuss stroke prevention with their afib patients, less than half of patients (43 percent) say they recall this information.

There is clearly a disconnect between what healthcare professionals think they are telling their afib patients and what afib patients are actually hearing them say.

Other important survey findings include:

• On average, there is a gap of 1.7 years between patients reporting having atrial fibrillation symptoms and atrial fibrillation diagnosis, potentially leaving afib patients more vulnerable to the consequences of the disease.  
• While 58 percent of patients said they sought additional information about afib, less than half (47 percent) of patients keep up with the latest advancements in atrial fibrillation treatment.

To learn more about survey findings, see: “Out of Sync: The State of Afib in America”: National survey reveals that patients and healthcare professionals are “Out of Sync”

Tags: Advocacy, General, Mellanie True Hills by Mellanie
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As Baby Boomers approach their Medicare years, a diverse group of healthcare leaders has joined together to launch AF Stat™: A Call to Action for Atrial Fibrillation (AF Stat), and to announce the formation of the AF Stat Working Group. 

This first-of-its-kind, national initiative aims to elevate understanding, diagnosis and management of atrial fibrillation (afib) among all those affected by this serious and increasingly prevalent cardiovascular disease. 

Characterized by irregular heartbeats or a rapid heart rate, afib is associated with a five-fold increase in stroke risk, worsens underlying cardiovascular disease, and doubles the risk of death. It also costs approximately $6.65 billion annually, largely due to increased hospitalization, and emergency room and medical care utilization.

The AF Stat Working Group includes:

• Electrophysiologist Eric Prystowsky, MD, as medical chair
• Cardiothoracic surgeon Senator Bill Frist, MD, as health policy advisor
• NBA Hall of Famer Jerry West, an afib patient
• StopAfib.org CEO Mellanie True Hills, an afib patient
• StopAfib.org and twenty-three other organizations, including the National Forum on Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention, the Heart Rhythm Society, the American College of Cardiology, and the American Heart Association 

Also released as part of AF Stat was the “Out of Sync: The State of AFib” survey that measured physician, nurse and patient afib experiences and attitudes.

Read more:  Health and Advocacy Leaders Mobilize to Bring Attention to Atrial Fibrillation, a Costly and Misunderstood Cardiovascular Disease

Tags: Advocacy, Mellanie True Hills by Mellanie
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