Heart Rhythm Society launches Citywide Awareness Campaign in Denver about cardiac arrhythmia

Colorado Governor John W. Hickenlooper has proclaimed May to be Cardiac Arrhythmia Awareness Month (#RhythmAwareness), calling attention to the need for greater public awareness throughout the State about two serious heart rhythm disorders, atrial fibrillation (also known as AF or AFib) and sudden cardiac arrest (also known as SCA). To support consumer education about these potentially life-threatening disease states, the Heart Rhythm Society (HRS) has launched a Citywide Awareness Campaign in Denver to improve knowledge about symptoms, warning signs, and available treatment options. As part of its initiative, HRS will host a patient education event at Skyline Park on May 8.

“As this year's host city for our scientific conference, HRS is committed to providing residents in and around Denver with education and tools critical to maintaining heart health”

"As this year's host city for our scientific conference, HRS is committed to providing residents in and around Denver with education and tools critical to maintaining heart health," said Anne M. Gillis, MD, FHRS, president of the Heart Rhythm Society. "Specifically, our research shows that there is a widespread lack of understanding about sudden cardiac arrest and atrial fibrillation, which can lead people to overlook or miss warning signs while the conditions are still treatable. The Citywide Awareness Campaign aims to make Denver a shining example of how awareness and education not only can improve quality of life, but also save lives."

The HRS Denver Citywide Awareness Campaign is made possible by contributions from sponsors including: Boehringer Ingelheim, AliveCor, eCardio, Boston Scientific, St. Jude Medical, Biosense Webster, Janssen Pharmaceuticals and GE. Event partners include StopAfib.org and the Global Atrial Fibrillation Alliance.

The Heart Rhythm Society's 34th Annual Scientific Sessions, which will be held May 8-11, 2013 in Denver, will celebrate the history of the cardiac arrhythmia field and how the science, discovery, and innovation of the past and present are shaping our future.