New research: 56% of Canadians with AF do not fear having fatal stroke

New research reveals more than half of Canadians (56 per cent) living with atrial fibrillation (AF) do not fear having a stroke, despite AF-related strokes being more severe, debilitating and twice as likely to be fatal. Results released from the SPEAK about AF Survey (Stroke Prevention Education, Awareness and Knowledge), a global survey of people diagnosed with AF and of physicians, showed approximately one-third of Canadian patients aren't making the connection between AF and stroke.

In fact when it comes to stroke, patients in Mexico (74 per cent), Germany (65 per cent) and Greece (60 per cent) are most fearful.

"It's clear we have a serious issue when it comes to AF and stroke in this country. Too many people do not understand having AF means they are at increased risk of a stroke and how serious the effects can be," says Dr. Paul Dorian, Director, Division of Cardiology, University of Toronto and Staff Electrophysiologist, St. Michael's Hospital. "This big gap in understanding could help explain the low rates of stroke prevention - only one-quarter of AF patients are on treatment and properly managed, putting three-quarters at serious risk."

People with AF, an irregular heart rhythm, are at least five times more at risk of stroke than those without the condition. After the age of 55, the incidence of AF doubles with each decade of life and after the age of 60, one-third of all strokes are caused by AF. The disabilities from an AF-related stroke can be significant, such as paralysis, loss of speech, effects on memory and thought processes.

1 Mission 1 Million - Getting to the Heart of Stroke
To help prevent as many as one million-AF related strokes and close the gap in patients' understanding of AF and its link to stroke, today Canada launches the global 1 Mission 1 Million - Getting to the Heart of Stroke disease awareness program sponsored by Boehringer Ingelheim.

The global initiative will provide up to €1 million (approx. $1.4 million CAD) worldwide for innovative projects designed to prevent AF-related strokes within regional communities, whether through research, screening programs or the creation of patient groups and websites.  Funding for the most innovative projects will be determined by the global community through online voting at www.heartofstroke.com.

Jane Seymour, world-renowned actress, is the program's Global ambassador because of her personal connection with stroke due to AF.

"I'm involved in 1 Mission 1 Million - Getting to the Heart of Stroke for very personal reasons; my mother had AF and in fact she had a stroke," said Jane Seymour.  "Anyone who's been a caregiver for someone who's had a stroke, will know how debilitating and horrendous strokes can be.  There is an urgent need for people to learn more about AF and how it relates to stroke. Through 1 Mission 1 Million, the public can actively help to prevent one million AF-related strokes by doing something as simple as voting online."

A total of 16 Canadian project proposals have been selected for voting, including:

• Stroke Recovery Association of BC (Promoting Worldwide AF-Related Stroke Prevention)
• Networks Activity Centre (Getting on with Life After Stroke)
• Heart and Stroke Foundation of Manitoba (What's that Crazy Beat? - The Truth About Atrial Fibrillation)
• Gateway Rural Health Research Institute (Skip a Beat? - Do you have atrial fibrillation?)
• Peterborough Regional Vascular Health Network (VROC)
• Queen's University, Heart Rhythm Service, Kingston General Hospital (Optimal Imaging before pulmonary vein isolation for Atrial Fibrillation - OPTIMA Trial)
• Queen's University (Creating an Internet Tool to Empower Patients to Choose Their Best Stroke Prevention Strategy)
• Stroke Survivors Association of Ottawa (Putting the Possibility into Stroke Disability: Peer Support for Stroke Survivors and Care-partners)
• Ottawa Cardiovascular Center (Atrial Fibrillation Decision Aide and www.cvtoolbox.com)
• University of Ottawa Heart Institute (Automatic Post Marketing Drug Surveillance: Warfarin in Atrial Fibrillation Patients)
• West Island Cardiac Wellness Program - Affiliated with Lakeshore General Hospital (West Island Cardiac Education and Support Program)
• Dalhousie University (Nova Scotia Heartland Tour)
• QEII Health Sciences Centre (Atrial Fibrillation - The CRAFT-EE Care Approach)
• Heart and Stroke Foundation of  Nova Scotia (AF Patient Walkabout & Nova Scotia Atrial Fibrillation Summit - A Focus on Management)
• Heart and Stroke Foundation of New Brunswick (The Driving Wellness Van)