People who have an irregular heartbeat known as atrial fibrillation
(AFib) not caused by a heart valve problem may not know the facts about
the condition. Emmy®-nominated game show host Howie Mandel didn’t
either. That is, until he was diagnosed with the condition and became
one of approximately 5.8 million people in the United States living with
AFib not caused by a heart valve problem. Howie Mandel soon learned that
AFib is the most common abnormal heart rhythm, and people who have AFib
not caused by a heart valve problem are at a five times greater risk of
having a stroke than people who do not have the condition.
To help raise awareness about AFib and its associated increased risk of
stroke, Mandel has partnered with Bristol-Myers Squibb and Pfizer Inc.
to educate Americans about this condition, and to encourage people with
AFib not caused by a heart valve problem to speak with their physicians
about treatment options that can help reduce the risk of stroke.
“When I was first diagnosed with AFib not caused by a heart valve
problem, I didn’t know what it was or how common it was,” said Mandel.
“My diagnosis motivated me to learn all I could about the condition, and
now I’m committed to helping people test their own knowledge of AFib
while raising money for National Stroke Association by taking the Fibs
or Facts quiz at www.FibsOrFacts.com.”
“Quiz participants can’t lose,” said Mandel. “You’ll come away knowing
the fibs and the facts about AFib and increased stroke risk and you’ll
also be supporting a tremendous organization.” A $1 donation by
Bristol-Myers Squibb and Pfizer will be made to National Stroke
Association for each person who completes the quiz, up to $25,000.
There are two types of AFib: one caused by a heart valve problem, and
one that is not. The majority of AFib is not caused by a heart valve
problem. Strokes due to AFib are more severe and more likely to be fatal
than strokes not associated with AFib.
“Even though patients with AFib not caused by a heart valve problem are
at a five times greater risk for stroke, they may not be aware of this
increased stroke risk” said Dr. Annabelle Volgman of Rush University
Medical Center. “The Fibs or Facts campaign encourages people to learn
more about this serious medical condition and, for those who have AFib
not caused by a heart valve problem, to work with their doctors to
discuss treatment options that can help reduce the risk of stroke.”
About the Fibs or Facts Campaign
Fibs or Facts is an educational campaign from Bristol-Myers Squibb and
Pfizer to help people learn the fibs and facts about AFib not caused by
a heart valve problem and its associated increased risk of stroke.
About Bristol-Myers Squibb
Bristol-Myers Squibb is a global biopharmaceutical company whose mission
is to discover, develop and deliver innovative medicines that help
patients prevail over serious diseases. For more information, please
visit http://www.bms.com
or follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/bmsnews.
Pfizer Inc.: Working together for a healthier world®
At Pfizer, we apply science and our global resources to bring therapies
to people that extend and significantly improve their lives. We strive
to set the standard for quality, safety and value in the discovery,
development and manufacture of health care products. Our global
portfolio includes medicines and vaccines as well as many of the world's
best-known consumer health care products. Every day, Pfizer colleagues
work across developed and emerging markets to advance wellness,
prevention, treatments and cures that challenge the most feared diseases
of our time. Consistent with our responsibility as one of the world's
premier innovative biopharmaceutical companies, we collaborate with
health care providers, governments and local communities to support and
expand access to reliable, affordable health care around the world. For
more than 150 years, Pfizer has worked to make a difference for all who
rely on us. To learn more, please visit us at www.pfizer.com.
Emmy® is a registered trademark of the Academy of Television Arts
& Sciences and the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences.
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