On European Cardiovascular Risk Prevention Day, the PersonalizeAF project, coordinated by the Universitat Politècnica de València through the ITACA Institute, draws attention to the growing number of people affected by atrial fibrillation (AF). This cardiac arrhythmia causes irregular and abnormally fast heart rhythms, which leads to a deterioration in the quality of life and can cause strokes and even death. In fact, people with AF are five times more likely to have a stroke than those without an arrhythmia.
Today, AF affects more than 6 million Europeans and 43 million people worldwide, and this number is expected to double in the coming decades. Consequently, the need for personalised patient treatment solutions, such as diagnostic tools and tailor-made cardiovascular therapies, is multiplying to address this epidemic.
The PersonalizeAF project is funded by the European Union’s H2020 programme. It aims to increase the number of AF patients diagnosed and successfully treated. Through advanced diagnostic tools and personalised treatments, millions of people with AF can benefit from a better quality of life and a reduced risk of cardiovascular events. The PersonalizeAF project, an ITN MSCA initiative, aims to change the AF diagnosis and treatment paradigm through personalised diagnostic techniques and individualised therapies. This multidisciplinary programme, carried out by 15 early-stage researchers based in different European countries, brings together experts from various disciplines, including engineers, clinicians and biologists, all working towards improving AF treatment and patient outcomes.
“As AF becomes more common, it is more important than ever to prioritise cardiovascular health and take steps to prevent heart disease. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle, including regular exercise and a balanced diet, can help to reduce the risk of developing AF and other heart conditions,” concludes Maria Guillem, deputy director of the ITACA Institute at the Universitat Politècnica de València and coordinator of the PersonalizeAF project.
Source: UPV’s Communication Area