If you’re looking for a group of folks who have the kind of atrial fibrillation that you do, check out the StopAfib.org discussion forums. If you are a young afibber, or have valvular afib or hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and afib, or if you’re interested in afib and exercise, afib and pregnancy, afib and sleep apnea, or other special topics, join a group to discuss your common concerns.

If you’re looking for a local support group, you’ll find those, too. We have, or are starting up, local support group discussions for:

• Portland, OR
• Phoenix, AZ and the Southwest
• Dallas-Ft. Worth
• Boston

If you’d like to start a group for your locale, just let us know.

Find out more at:  StopAfib.org Discussion Forums Provide Special Interest Topics and Local Support Groups

Tags: Exercise, Patient Stories, Sleep Apnea, Support, Treatment by Mellanie
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If you have a problem getting Medicare, Medicare Advantage, or your health insurance plan to cover an atrial fibrillation treatment, such as an afib medication, catheter ablation, or mini maze surgery, you don’t have to take “no” for an answer. You can push back by requesting a “coverage determination” or submitting an appeal.

To learn how, read:  How to Push Back if Medicare or Other Health Insurance Says “No” to Atrial Fibrillation Treatment

Tags: Catheter ablation, Medication, Resources, Surgery, Treatment by Mellanie
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On September 16, 2009, the AF Stat^TM coalition launched two major reports, the AF Stat Call to Action for Atrial Fibrillation and the Avalere Health report Medicare and Atrial Fibrillation: Consequences in Costs and Care. The videos from that webcast are now available for viewing online.

Learn more about AF Stat and access the webcast:
AF Stat^TM Webcast Video Presents Priorities to Improve Atrial Fibrillation Patient Care

Tags: AF Stat, Advocacy, Audio/Video, Events, General, Resources, Study by Mellanie
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Urgent coordinated action is needed to avoid the thousands of preventable strokes that leave many atrial fibrillation (AF) patients mentally and physically disabled or dead every year. A report, How Can We Avoid a Stroke Crisis?, was launched today in the European Parliament in Brussels by Action for Stroke Prevention, a group of health experts from across Europe.

It proposes measures to tackle stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation (afib), the most common, sustained abnormal heart rhythm and a major cause of stroke. Their proposal, endorsed by 17 leading European medical professional and patient organizations, calls for EU policy makers and Member State governments to act before the increasing frequency of these strokes becomes a major public health crisis.

StopAfib.org is proud to be one of the 17 organizations involved in and endorsing this report.

To learn more, read: Action for Stroke Prevention Launches New Health Report Exposing Imminent Risk of a Stroke Crisis in Europe

Tags: Advocacy, Anticoagulation, Medication, Prevention, Stroke by Mellanie
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A newly published study shows obesity is a major risk factor for left atrial enlargement (LAE), a condition in which the left upper chamber of the heart is oversized. That’s important to people who are concerned about atrial fibrillation (AF) because LAE is a risk factor for afib, stroke and death.

Read more: Obesity Raises Risk of Left Atrial Enlargement, a Risk Factor for Atrial Fibrillation

Tags: Causes or Triggers, High blood pressure, Prevention, Stroke, Study by Mellanie
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Houston-area residents are invited to attend a free Afib education event on December 10, 2009 at the Kingwood Medical Center.

For more event details, see Houston Atrial Fibrillation Education Event — 12/10/2009

Tags: Events by Mellanie
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This very important story may change how afib patients and their doctors decide if they should be on anticoagulant medications (blood thinners), such as Coumadin or warfarin.

The CHADS₂ scoring system is how doctors now decide who should be on Coumadin or warfarin to avoid strokes, but a newly-published study adds new stroke risk factors that are not considered in CHADS₂.

These new risk factors, including being female, having heart or vascular disease, and being age 65 or greater (CHADS₂ uses 75 or greater), have been incorporated in a scoring system called the “2009 Birmingham Schema” (CHA₂DS₂-VASc). This new approach enhances the existing CHADS₂ system, giving two points to definitive stroke risk factors and one point to combination stroke risk factors.

To learn more, read:  New Stroke Risk Factors for Those with Atrial Fibrillation: Female Gender, Heart Disease, and Age

Tags: Anticoagulation, High blood pressure, Medication, Risk, Stroke, Study, Treatment, Women by Mellanie
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