By Martin Banks - 7th December 2011
“EU healthcare is under extreme financial pressure
Cristian Busoi
A conference in parliament was warned about the "hidden timebomb" of a trial fibrillation (AF).
The event heard that an early diagnosis of heart problems and correct medication can help AF sufferers avoid going on to have a stroke.
However, public awareness of the risk – which afflicts about six million Europeans - is currently limited, the conference was told.
Although AF is associated with heart failure, hypertension, diabetes and previous coronary heart disease a "large proportion" of patients have "no identifiable" risk factors.
This makes proven prevention strategies for the disease "very difficult" to establish, the event was told.
A recent survey of British GPs by the Stroke Association revealed that nearly 40 per cent identified lack of public awareness as a significant contributor to problems of diagnosis and treatment.
Data shows that in the UK alone there are 150,000 strokes, 10,000 of them to people under retirement age. Some 53,000 people a year die from a stroke.
This is one third the level of mortality in 1968 but deaths have fallen faster among higher income groups than lower income groups.
MEP Cristian Busoi told the event that an EU task force had recently been established to help tackle the problem.
He said, "EU healthcare is under extreme financial pressure. We have to make important choices regarding the diseases on which we focus and the resources we allocate to their management."
He added, "Given the burden this disease places on patients and healthcare systems and its rapidly increasing prevalence, the members of the task force have identified an urgent need for increased awareness and improved treatment of AF.
"At a time when the EU is focusing on deploying innovative solutions for active and healthy ageing for Europeans, ensuring effective treatment for conditions like AF could help both current and future generations to enjoy more active and productive lives."
The task force, he said, had been established to provide a "multidisciplinary" approach, combining expertise and efforts from the medical, policy and patient advocacy environments.
It aims to enhance public awareness of AF, bringing together medical experts, patient organisations and policy makers from member states to help improve efficiency.
"The initiative will provide a platform for all stakeholders to work together to create solutions that will improve the treatment and management of AF patients," he said.
He added, "In doing so, the task force wants to take a close look at the state of implementation of treatment guidelines in member states.
Further comment came from Trudie Lobban, CEO of Atrial Fibrillation Association, who said, "We believe that the personal burden on individuals and the economic impact of AF for healthcare providers needs urgent attention."
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