The European Heart Rhythm Association (EHRA) is launching the patient- and caregiver-oriented website afibmatters.org in Swedish and Portuguese.
Afibmatters.org aims to contribute to improvements in the quality of life and health of patients with atrial fibrillation. The website is currently available in English, French, German, Spanish and Italian and was developed under the direction of EHRA, a registered branch of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC).
The website provides clear and reliable information and practical advice to people with atrial fibrillation, their families and caregivers complementing the support and care patients receive from doctors or other healthcare providers.
Surveys undertaken by leading societies in Europe and the USA such as EHRA and the Heart Rhythm Society (HRS) have indicated that there is still a need to educate people about atrial fibrillation and the health risks associated with it. “By improving knowledge and understanding of atrial fibrillation we hope that people living with the condition will be able to manage their health more effectively so that they can live longer with more active lives,” the website states.
Through afibmatters.org people can learn about atrial fibrillation and its different types, causes, signs and symptoms, tests and investigations, treatment options and advice on how to live with this rhythm disorder.
The recommendations provided in afibmatters.org are in accordance with European Guidelines. Leading specialists in the field including: Dr Natasja de Groot, Asst Prof Christian Meyer, Dr Evertz Reinder, Dr Maria Grazia Bongiorni, Dr Mark J Earley, Dr Dipen Shah and Associate Prof
Martin Martinek advised on the content for this website.
Dr de Groot, EHRA Website & Communication Committee chairperson, commented that the website has now been updated with extensive information on catheter ablation describing the different types of techniques available and the possible complications associated with this therapy.
Addionally, she noted, information on left atrial appendage occlusion has been added.
The Swedish version of afibmatters.org can be found on www.hjärtflimmer.org or www.hjartflimmer.org. The Portuguese version can be found on
www.fibrilacaoatrial.org.
