Policy Makers and Advocates Appeal for European Governments to Adopt a National Focus on Stroke Prevention

Brussels, Belgium (ots/PRNewswire) -

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

ots Originaltext: Bayer HealthCare
Im Internet recherchierbar: http://www.presseportal.de

Contact:
For more information contact Julia Rodger at Chandler Chicco
Agency on T. +44(0)20-7167-2881 and j.rodger@cca-uk.com