(BPT) – In 2017, nearly seven million Americans were estimated to have AFib, a type of irregular heartbeat, not caused by a heart valve problem. This condition increases the risk of having a stroke by five times. ‘Tune in to AFib,’ an educational campaign from the Bristol-Myers Squibb and Pfizer Alliance, along with the National Stroke Association (NSA) and iHeartMedia, is asking people to ‘tune in’ to AFib and ‘take note’ of AFib-related stroke risk.
Ken Dashow, campaign spokesperson and afternoon drive host of iHeartRadio’s Q104.3, New York’s Classic Rock Station, is helping people connect the dots between AFib-related stroke risk. When one of Ken’s good friends was diagnosed with AFib, he was shocked to learn of its increased risk of stroke and that’s why he’s using music to inspire those living with the condition to take action.
Check out the below for tips on how to get in tune with the AFib-stroke risk connection:
* Know the facts. With AFib, the top chambers (the atria) of the heart do not contract properly to push blood through the heart. As a result, some blood remains in the top chambers, which can pool, and clots may form. These clots can travel to the brain, blocking or limiting blood flow, and may result in a stroke.
* Talk to your doctor. Strokes due to AFib are more severe and more likely to be fatal than strokes not caused by this condition, and they can have a devastating effect on patients and their loved ones. However, some people with AFib may not have any noticeable symptoms. That’s why if you’re living with AFib, it’s important to work with your doctor to better manage your condition and learn how to reduce the risk of stroke.
* Test your knowledge about AFib. Take a quick five-question quiz to test your knowledge and learn more about the condition and the symptoms at www.TuneintoAFib.com. For each person who completes the ‘Tune in to AFib’ quiz, the Bristol-Myers Squibb and Pfizer Alliance will donate $1, up to $30,000, to the National Stroke Association.
Check out www.TuneintoAFib.com to view exclusive concert footage of Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes, hear from Ken Dashow and learn more about AFib and its increased risk of stroke.
