Despite Fearing the Loss of Independence, the Majority of People Don't Know How Best to Reduce Stroke Risk

PR58427

LONDON, Oct. 29 /PRN=KYODO JBN/ --

Loss of the ability to self-care and live independently are the most feared

social-related outcomes of a stroke,[a] a survey of seven European countries

reveals today on World Stroke Day. Yet only one in a hundred respondents

surveyed were able to correctly identify all four main ways to reduce the risk

of atrial fibrillation (AF)-related stroke,[1] which account for a one in six

strokes.[2] AF-related stroke is caused by blood clots and is a type of

ischaemic stroke, the most common type of stroke.[3]

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The Ipsos MORI survey of 3,307 individuals aged 40 or over in the UK, Germany,

Spain, Italy, France, Portugal and Ireland looked at attitudes and awareness of

AF: a common condition that affects 70 million people globally[4] and causes an

irregular and often abnormally fast heart rate.

Those affected by AF are five times more likely than the general population to

have an ischaemic stroke[5] because an irregular heart beat can allow blood

clots to form in the heart. These can then be carried to the brain, blocking

blood flow and causing an ischaemic stroke. AF-related strokes tend to be more

severe than other types of ischaemic stroke and can devastate not only a

patient's quality of life, but also that of their family and carers.[6]

Worryingly, many people with AF do not realise that, as well as treating their

AF symptoms, they need to act to lower their stroke risk.[7]

In the survey, respondents were asked about ways that patients with AF can help

reduce their risk of an AF-related stroke.[b] When prompted, just over half of

those surveyed (52%) were aware that maintaining a healthy diet could help

alleviate the risk of AF-related stroke, while exercise was correctly

identified by just under half of those surveyed (46%).[1] However, the results

also reveal:

85 per cent of respondents surveyed did not know that an anticoagulant is an

option to help reduce the risk of AF-related stroke)[1] - despite the fact that

they can prevent up to 70 per cent of AF-related strokes.[8],[9],[10],[11]

Around two thirds (68%) of respondents surveyed did not know that blood

pressure treatment can help reduce their AF-related stroke risk.[1]

99 per cent of respondents surveyed could not identify all four correct ways of

reducing AF-related stroke risk, without any incorrect answers. These correct

answers were eating a healthy diet, exercising, taking prescribed

anticoagulants and blood pressure treatments.[1]

Mellanie True Hills, founder and CEO of StopAfib.org, an AF patient

organisation, and co-chair of the Sign Against Stroke in Atrial Fibrillation

Task Force said: "It is important for people who have been diagnosed with AF to

see their healthcare professionals regularly to check their personal AF stroke

risk. Over time a person's AF risk factors can change. While lifestyle choices

are fundamental to managing AF, the use of anticoagulation, including

consideration of new options, is critical for effective prevention of

AF-related strokes in those at risk."

The results of this survey highlight the need for people to be aware of the

link between AF and stroke and to take action on reducing their stroke risk.

Sign Against Stroke in Atrial Fibrillation is a global campaign to raise

awareness of AF and its relationship with stroke. In the past year, around

200,000 people have engaged with Sign Against Stroke in Atrial Fibrillation by

signing the Global AF Patient Charter, a global call to action to drive

improvements in AF diagnosis and care, in order to prevent AF-related strokes.

Sign Against Stroke in Atrial Fibrillation has now rallied 697,468 people to

join the unified voice supporting improved care and treatment of individuals

living with AF.

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a) Social outcomes listed were inability to work, inability to self-care and

live independently, being a burden on my family, inability to pay for my own

care and inability to provide care for my family

b) Ways to reduce the risk of AF-related stroke listed were healthy diet,

exercise, blood pressure treatment, cholesterol lowering treatment,

anticoagulant treatment, antibiotic treatment and heart surgery

Notes to editors

About AF and its link with stroke

AF is the most common heart rhythm disorder worldwide and puts those affected

at a higher risk of stroke.[12],[13] AF becomes more prevalent with age,[12]

with the over 40s have a one in four chance of developing AF.[2] The symptoms

of AF include:

Irregular heart beat

Racing or sudden pounding of the heart

Dizziness

Shortness of breath

Weakness

The majority of AF-related strokes can be prevented with appropriate healthcare

management.

About Sign Against Stroke in Atrial Fibrillation and the AF Patient Charter

In a global call to action, 101 patient organisations, medical and other

non-governmental organisations from around the world have endorsed the Charter,

asking the public, healthcare professionals and policy makers to drive change

in AF diagnosis and care, preventing AF-related strokes. The goal of Sign

Against Stroke in Atrial Fibrillation is to gather 1.7 million signatures in

support of the Charter - one for each of the estimated number of grandparents,

mothers, fathers, aunts and uncles killed or disabled by AF-related strokes

every year - and provide those signatures to healthcare decision makers in

countries across the world. Demonstrating strong support behind the Charter

recommendations will help put AF and AF-related stroke prevention at the

forefront of national health agendas.

The Global AF Patient Charter was developed by a Steering Committee comprised

of representatives from patient organisations, including AntiCoagulation

Europe, Arrhythmia Alliance, Atrial Fibrillation Association, Irish Heart

Foundation, StopAfib.org and Stroke Alliance for Europe, in collaboration with

39 founding patient organisations from 20 countries. A full list of

collaborating organisations is available on the website,

http://www.signagainststroke.com.

People can learn about AF and stroke and read and sign the Charter, which is

available in 22 languages, on the Campaign website

http://www.signagainststroke.com. All signatures contribute to driving action

to prevent AF-related strokes and improving future outcomes and quality of life

of people diagnosed with AF.

Bayer HealthCare has proudly supported the Global AF Patient Charter and Sign

Against Stroke in Atrial Fibrillation Campaign since its creation in 2011 and

remains committed to working together with all key stakeholders involved to

help improve AF patient outcomes.

About Ipsos MORI Survey     

On behalf of Bayer Healthcare, Ipsos MORI interviewed 3,307 adults aged 40+

across seven Western European countries - UK (501), Germany (500), Spain (500),

Italy (502), France (500), Portugal (400), Ireland (404). Interviews were

conducted by telephone (CATI: Computer Assisted Telephone Interviews) between

3rd -17th September 2012.

Quota controls were set upon the interviews to the known population profile of

this audience (40+ years of age) for age, sex and region. Population data

sources: Eurostat, 2011 and NRS July 2011-June 2012 (UK); Eurostat, 2011

(Germany); Eurostat, 2011 (Spain); Istat (national statistic office), 2011

(Italy); Eurostat, 2011; (France); INE, Estimativas Anuais da Populacao

Residente. National Statistics Institute. 2010 Annual estimation of resident

Population, 2011 (Portugal); Eurostat, 2011 (Ireland).

UK data have been weighted in accordance to publically available statistics.

In Spain, "stroke" was translated "apoplejia" in the local version of the

questionnaire for question 8.

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References

1. Ipsos MORI. Atrial Fibrillation and Stroke Awareness Survey. 2012.

2. Lloyd-Jones DM et al. Circulation 2004;110:1042-6.

3. Stroke 101: Fast facts on stroke. National Stroke Association.

http://www.stroke.org/site/DocServer/STROKE_101_Fact_Sheet.pdf?docID=4541. Last

accessed October 2014.

4. Tackling global AF stroke risk. Atrial Fibrillation Association

http://www.atrialfibrillation.org.uk/campaigns/tackling-global-af-stroke-risk.html

. Last accessed October 2014.

5. Marini C et al. Stroke 2005;36:1115-9.

6. Wolfe CD. Br Med Bull 2000;56:275-86.

7. Atrial Fibrillation Association  and AntiCoagulation Europe. The AF Report,

Atrial fibrillation: Preventing a stroke crisis

http://www.preventaf-strokecrisis.org/files/files/The%20AF%20Report%2014%20April%202012.pdf

. Last accessed October 2014.

8. Patel MR et al. N Engl J Med 2011;365:883-91.

9. Connolly SJ et al. N Engl J Med 2009;361:1139-51.

10. Granger CB et al. N Engl J Med 2011;365:981-92.

11. Hart RG et al. Ann Intern Med 2007;146:857-867.

12. Kannel WB et al. Med Clin North Am 2008;92:17-40.

13. Atrial Fibrillation Fact Sheet, National Heart Blood and Lung Institute

Diseases and Conditions Index, October 2009.

http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/dci/Diseases/af/af_what.html . Last accessed

October 2014.

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Media contacts:

For more information contact Judith Moore at Chandler Chicco Agency on:

+44-(0)20-7167-2884 / +44-(0)-7932-053-829 or jmoore@cca-uk.com

Source: Sign Against Stroke