Heart Month and the Impact of Arrhythmias

(London, ON): Today marks the launch of Heart Month and an opportunity to bring to the forefront a heart condition that can be serious and sometimes overlooked. Millions of Canadians experience irregular heart rhythms, known as arrhythmias. In fact, arrhythmias are projected to be the leading cause of death in Canada by 2020. The Cardiac Arrhythmia Network of Canada is a national Network of Centres of Excellence committed to transforming the arrhythmia health care system by focusing on atrial fibrillation (AF), sudden cardiac death (SCD) and syncope (fainting).
Although many arrhythmias may occur normally, others are more dangerous and can affect the supply of blood to the heart or other organs. Left untreated, this can sometimes lead to stroke, heart attack, heart failure, or SCD.
Sudden cardiac death kills 40,000 Canadians a year, and only has an approximately 5 per cent survival rate. Stephen Blais, an Ottawa City Councillor, is one of those lucky few. “The work [CANet is] doing will make a demonstrable difference in the communities you live in…across Canada…and potentially worldwide,” said Blais. ”Thank you.”
The costs associated with AF, SCD and fainting are staggering; when indirect costs such as the loss of productivity of the patients and their caregivers are included, the economic burden of these three arrhythmia-related conditions is well over $10 billion per year in Canada.
“CANet is playing a key role by leveraging our network of world-class electrophysiologists, engineers, social scientists, policy-makers and industry partners to improve arrhythmia care,” said Dr. Anthony Tang, CEO and Scientific Director of CANet. “CANet will put high impact research results into the hands of those that can use the findings to better treat patients.”
Throughout the month, CANet will be sharing stories illustrating how the network and its investigators are focused on improving arrhythmia care in Canada. Follow along on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn.
 
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For more information, please contact:
Fiona Hill-Hinrichs
Director, Communications
CANet
519-661-2111 x 81353
[email protected]
 
About CANet:
The Cardiac Arrhythmia Network of Canada (CANet) is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to transforming Canada’s arrhythmia health care system through integrated trans-disciplinary research and development. The network’s strategy is to invent, prove, and implement innovative solutions to enable patients to take ownership and co-manage their arrhythmia health. CANet is funded by the federal government’s Networks of Centres of Excellence (NCE), Canada’s flagship science and technology program.