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INGELHEIM, Germany--([ BUSINESS WIRE ])--For NON-US Media Only

"Every year, more than three million people worldwide have an atrial fibrillation-related stroke. Many of these strokes can be prevented so the World Heart Federation encourages everybody to join the mission to help save lives."

To mark World Heart Day tomorrow (29.09.12), the awareness initiative a1 Mission 1 Million a" Getting to the Heart of Strokea is calling on millions of people to join together and raise awareness of the irregular heart rhythm atrial fibrillation by signing a global petition: [ www.heartofstroke.com/Petition ]. Since many people are not aware of the increased risk of stroke associated with atrial fibrillation, more needs to be done to raise awareness of this serious condition and ensure it is appropriately managed.

The 1 Mission 1 Million initiative asks anyone affected or concerned by heart diseases and rhythm disorders to sign thepetition, which will be submitted to the worldas health organizations to ensure that atrial fibrillation is acknowledged as a serious condition and a risk factor for stroke.

Within families and among friends, most people will be able to identify someone, even a close relative, who has atrial fibrillation. People with atrial fibrillation are five times more likely to suffer a stroke and atrial fibrillation-related strokes are more severe and are associated with more disability than non atrial fibrillation-related strokes.^1-3,4 The 1 Mission 1 Million petition, which has been developed in collaboration with the World Heart Federation, calls for action to be taken now to protect people from the devastating consequences of stroke.

aEvery year, more than three million people worldwide have an atrial fibrillation-related stroke. Many of these strokes can be prevented so the World Heart Federation encourages everybody to join the mission to help save lives.a said Dr Kathryn Taubert, Chief Science Officer for the World Heart Federation.

The 1 Mission 1 Million petition highlights specific measures that need to be taken to help prevent atrial fibrillation-related stroke, including: better awareness and education, earlier and better diagnosis, improved management and treatment of atrial fibrillation, as well as improved stroke prevention. Supporting, signing and sharing the 1 Mission 1 Million petition is a first step towards potentially saving millions of lives from atrial fibrillation-related stroke.

The 1 Mission 1 Million petition has been developed in collaboration with the World Heart Federation and is supported by AntiCoagulation Europe, the Arrhythmia Alliance, the Atrial Fibrillation Association and the Stroke Alliance for Europe. 1 Mission 1 Million a" Getting to the Heart of Stroke is sponsored by Boehringer Ingelheim.

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Please click on the link below for aNotes to Editorsa and aReferencesa:
[ http://www.boehringer-ingelheim.com/news/news_releases/press_releases/2012/28_september_20121mission1million.html ]