Alliance for Aging Research Releases Survey of AFib Patients 65+ that Finds Active Participation in Treatment Decisions

Stopafib: 11/5/12

WASHINGTON, DC (November 5, 2012) — The Alliance for Aging Research (Alliance) and the AFib Optimal Treatment Task Force announced the results of an on-line survey of patients 65+ years old, exploring their experiences with the diagnosis and treatment of their atrial fibrillation (AFib).  The objectives of the survey of more than 500 AFib patients were to better understand patient experiences during diagnosis, their information sources, the dynamics of their treatment decisions, the use of anticoagulants, the assessment of stroke and bleeding risk in the treatment decision, and treatment compliance.  It was also designed to complement a previous survey of health care professionals (primary care physicians, internists, and geriatricians) that found that less than 50% used stroke risk assessment tools regularly.  Almost none of the patients surveyed were aware of any use of risk assessment tools by their health care professionals. Read more