Policy Makers and Advocates Appeal for European Governments to Adopt a National Focus on Stroke Prevention
Policy Makers and Advocates Appeal for European Governments to Adopt a National Focus on Stroke Prevention
PR55196
BRUSSELS, Dec 3 /PRN=KYODO JBN/ -
Coinciding with the World Health Organization (WHO) European Ministerial
Conference on the Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases in
Turkmenistan, MEPs, patient and physician representatives are today meeting at
the European Parliament to highlight that urgent national action is required to
prevent stroke.
"Stroke is a growing burden on our healthcare services but more importantly has
a devastating impact on survivors and their families," said MEP Nessa Childers.
"Atrial fibrillation is not a well recognised risk factor for stroke and yet it
causes some of the most debilitating and costly strokes. This is why it is so
important that stroke prevention and the risk factors for stroke are strongly
addressed in EU and national health plans."
Why Action is Needed
15 million people worldwide suffer a stroke each year[1], leaving 5 million
people disabled. In Europe alone, the annual cost of stroke is estimated to be
64 billion Euros[2]. Atrial fibrillation (AF), a condition characterised by an
irregular heartbeat, is a major contributor to this.
AF increases stroke risk by 500%.[3] People who have a stroke caused by AF are
more likely to remain in hospital for longer, less likely to be discharged to
their home and 50% more likely to remain disabled, relying on long-term care
from their families or nursing homes[4], yet the majority of AF-related strokes
are preventable.
"Given the debilitating and costly nature of atrial fibrillation related
strokes, it is vital that EU and national health policy addresses the gaps that
allow patients to go undiagnosed and to receive sub-optimal management," said
MEP Oreste Rossi.
By uniting, MEPs and advocates have shown their support for policies which
deliver better recognition and management of AF and prevention of stroke.
"The Stroke Alliance For Europe, along with over a hundred other organisations
around the world, is working to ensure that stroke prevention and atrial
fibrillation are addressed in national health plans," said SAFE President,
Jelka Jansa. "Over half a million people have already supported our cause and
the Sign Against Stroke Campaign. Together we hope to ensure fewer families
experience the life changing effects of a stroke."
Sign Against Stroke in Atrial Fibrillation
People can learn about AF and stroke and support the Sign Against Stroke
Campaign by visiting SignAgainstStroke.com. All signatures contribute to
driving action to prevent AF-related strokes and putting stroke prevention on
EU and national policy agendas.
Bayer HealthCare has proudly supported the Sign Against Stroke Campaign since
its creation by 39 non-governmental organisations in 2011 and remains committed
to working together with all key stakeholders involved to help improve
AF-related stroke prevention.
References
1. The Atlas of Heart Disease and Stroke. World Health Organization.
http://www.who.int/cardiovascular_diseases/en/cvd_atlas_15_burden_stroke.pdf
Last accessed 28 October 2013.
2. Gustavsson A, Svensson M, Jacobi F et al. Cost of disorders of the brain in
Europe 2010. Eur Neuropsychopharmacol 2011;21:718-7.
3. Fuster V et al. 2011 ACCF/AHA/HRS focused updates incorporated into the
ACC/AHA/ESC 2006 guidelines for the management of patients with atrial
fibrillation: a report of the American College of Cardiology
Foundation/American Heart Association Task Force on practice guidelines.
Circulation 2011;123(10):e269-367.
4. Lin HJ et al. Stroke severity in atrial fibrillation. The Framingham Study.
Stroke 1996;27(10):1760-4.
L.GB.11.2013.4604
Date of preparation: November 2013
SOURCE: Bayer HealthCare
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