Aussie stroke report
June 28, 2010
THE National Stroke Foundation
(NSF) is calling for a set of atrial
fibrillation (AF) guidelines to be
implemented nationwide, to improve
both its diagnosis and treatment.
The call comes hot on the heels
of the release of Price Waterhouse
Coopers report, ‘The Economic
Costs of Atrial Fibrillation in
Australia’, which found that AF
costs the Australian economy
around $1.2 billion per annum.
According to the NSF atrial
fibrillation is one of the most
challenging cardiovascular diseases
to diagnose and treat, with a recent
study concluding that around 30%
of all cases remain undiagnosed
until hospitalisation.
THE NSF estimates that around
240,000 Aussies suffer AF, with
patients seven times more likely to
have a stroke than the general
population.
“The growing burden of atrial
fibrillation in Australia is significant.
With an ageing population we need
to better understand the true extent
of the condition and focus on
better management guidelines for
doctors,” said neurologist and
National Stroke Foundation
spokesperson, Dr Denis Crimmins.
“The reality is that AF is an
expensive illness.
“However, if we start to pay more
attention and investigate AF’s true
prevalence across Australia we
could significantly reduce preventable
AF related strokes, heart failure and
premature death,” he added.
To view the full AF report see
www.strokefoundation.com.au.
MEANWHILE a new AF website
has been launched offering advice,
support and info for AF patients
and carers at www.atrialfibrillationau.
org.
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