September 2009 is Atrial Fibrillation Month

StopAfib.org patient resource raises awareness of irregular heartbeat that is
a common cause of stroke

DALLAS, Sept. 2 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Mellanie True Hills knows
personally the toll that atrial fibrillation (afib) takes. Just two years ago,
with a sense of urgency about afib that only a survivor can possess, she
designated September as Atrial Fibrillation Month.

After surviving blood clots and a near-stroke during her first afib episode,
she lived in constant fear that the next one would bring on a deadly stroke.
Once cured surgically of this cardiac arrhythmia, she couldn't stand on the
sidelines and watch others suffer so she started StopAfib.org, a non-profit
resource for those living the nightmare of atrial fibrillation. Since afib
frequently isn't diagnosed until after a stroke, or two, and identifying the
problem can be a multi-year process, she knew that she had to act quickly to
raise awareness.

As we at StopAfib.org mark our third year of celebrating Atrial Fibrillation
Month, we know that so much progress has been made in raising awareness of
this potentially life-threatening irregular heartbeat, but so much more must
be done. We imagine a world where there are no deadly or disabling strokes. A
world where atrial fibrillation no longer bankrupts families due to lost jobs,
crushing medical bills, and the inability to get and keep insurance. A world
where the cost of afib and strokes no longer threatens health systems and
economies.

Once considered benign, these cardiac arrhythmias double the risk of death and
increase stroke risk five-fold. Stroke is the third most common cause of death
in America and the number one cause of permanent disability. Afib results in
Medicare and health care costs that are spiraling out of control as five
million Americans have it (Mayo Clinic) and 16 million will by 2050 as it
overtakes aging Baby Boomers.

Our commitment to raising awareness of afib involves participating in the
following Atrial Fibrillation Month initiatives
(http://www.stopafib.org/newsitem.cfm/NEWSID/188):

-- To officially designate September as National Atrial Fibrillation
Awareness Month (U.S.)
-- AF Stat(TM) A Call to Action for Atrial Fibrillation

-- StopAfib.org's updated YouTube Channel to bring doctors to patients

Visit HON Code Certified StopAfib.org, the most visited U.S. arrhythmia site,
and the Atrial Fibrillation Blog (http://atrialfibrillationblog.com) for what
causes a stroke, afib treatment, news, videos, and a forum.

Available Topic Expert(s): For information on the listed expert(s), click
appropriate link.
Mellanie True Hills
https://profnet.prnewswire.com/Subscriber/ExpertProfile.aspx?ei=80897

SOURCE StopAfib.org

Mellanie True Hills of StopAfib.org, +1-940-466-9898