Atrial Fibrillation Patient Symposium

Utahns Who Suffer from Atrial Fibrillation Invited to Free Support Group Saturday at Intermountain Medical Center

Murray, UT (1/12/2009) – Intermountain Medical Center is sponsoring a free support group and education session this Saturday, Jan. 17, for Utahns who suffer from atrial fibrillation, a heart disorder that affects one in four people and causes 25 percent of all strokes.

Atrial fibrillation is found in about 2.2 million Americans and is on the verge of becoming a global epidemic. During atrial fibrillation, the heart's two small upper chambers quiver instead of beating effectively. This rapid, irregular heart beat results in fatigue, difficulty breathing, and chest pain. It can lead to the formation of blood clots that can cause strokes. Atrial fibrillation has been linked to high blood pressure, genetics, heart failure or advancing age.

The Intermountain Medical Center support group and education sessions will be held from 9 to 11 am and 1 to 3 pm on Saturday at the Doty Education Center on the campus of Intermountain Medical Center, 5121 South Cottonwood Street (corner of 5300 South and State Street) in Murray.

Some of the topics that will be covered include:

• What is atrial fibrillation and I can I live with it?
• What do I need to know about my atrial fibrillation medications?
• Will a catheter ablation procedure fix my atrial fibrillation?
• Will a mini maze surgery fix my atrial fibrillation?
• What new atrial fibrillation treatments are expected to be approved by the FDA in 2009?

To register for the free support group, please call Intermountain Medical Center at (801) 507-3513.