UNTREATED atrial fibrillation (AF) is linked to one in 10 deaths, with up to 45% of high-risk patients missing out on potentially life-saving anticoagulant therapy despite clear benefits, according to recent research.
AF accounts for more than 200,000 hospitalisations annually, yet nearly half of high-risk patients are not prescribed anticoagulants, and 43% stop their therapy within 2.5 years.
A free, comprehensive program designed to improve AF treatment and stroke prevention through better anticoagulant use is now available for health professionals.
This initiative is part of the work of the Quality Use of Medicines Alliance, funded by the Australian Government and led by Medcast and the Health Care Consumers' Association (HCCA).
Royal Australian College of GPs spokesperson Professor Nigel Stocks highlighted the importance of patient education in managing atrial fibrillation.
"Once diagnosed, patients may be reluctant to take anticoagulants, so it is important that they fully understand their individual stroke and bleeding risk so they can make informed decisions about future care," he said.
The program seeks to increase consumer awareness about the link between atrial fibrillation and stroke, helping people understand their personal stroke risk and take preventative action.
"This initiative will not only enhance the knowledge of health professionals but also support consumers to engage in more meaningful conversations with their doctors about stroke prevention," said Darlene Cox, Executive Director of the HCCA.
"With so many Australians affected, it is essential that we address the reasons why people are reluctant to take, or stop taking, their anticoagulants and help them better understand their personal stroke risk.
"By improving health literacy, we can better equip people for informed conversations with their health professionals so that fewer lives are impacted by stroke," she said.
Associate Professor Stephen Barnett, Medical Director at Medcast, said the program was about empowering health professionals and their patients to make more confident decisions about stroke prevention in AF.
"By providing targeted education, we aim to improve the rate of anticoagulant prescriptions when they are needed and to increase ongoing use by patients, ultimately saving lives and reducing the burden of stroke in our community," he said.
Health professionals can access the program HERE. KB
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