New "15 Every Hour" Campaign Spreads the Word on the Devastating Impact of AFib-Related Stroke

RIDGEFIELD, Conn., Oct. 29, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- On average, every hour, 15 people in the United States (U.S.) will suffer a stroke caused by atrial fibrillation (AFib), a type of irregular heartbeat.  In support of World Stroke Day, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (BIPI) has launched 15 Every Hour, a new campaign to educate people about the seriousness of AFib-related strokes, which are nearly twice as likely to be deadly or severely disabling as non-AFib-related strokes. The centerpiece of the campaign is a new shareable video, available at 15EveryHour.com, along with other important educational resources such as a stroke risk assessment questionnaire.

Of the 15 people with AFib who suffer a stroke, three will not walk again without assistance, three will have to go into nursing homes and four will die.  The risk of stroke will always exist for a person with AFib because it is a chronic condition.

"People diagnosed with AFib may not realize that the condition increases their risk of stroke by as much as five times," said John Smith, M.D., Ph.D., senior vice president for clinical development and medical affairs, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc. "The reality is that you can't definitively predict who with AFib will have a stroke. 15 Every Hour encourages people living with AFib and their families to take charge and become educated about their risk."

AFib, one of the most common heart rhythm disorders, affects more than 2 million Americans, and the risk of developing it increases with age.  AFib is a type of irregular heartbeat caused when one or both of the upper chambers of the heart beat out of sync. This chaotic heartbeat can cause blood to pool in the chambers of the heart, leading to the formation of clots, which may break apart and travel directly to the brain, blocking blood supply and causing a stroke.

Because AFib-related strokes can be potentially deadly or severely disabling, people living with AFib, along with their family and friends, should be educated about the risk of stroke, which can impact them all. By visiting 15EveryHour.com, everyone can get the facts about the risk of stroke associated with AFib and people living with the condition can work with their doctor to address this risk.

About Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc., based in Ridgefield, CT, is the largest U.S. subsidiary of Boehringer Ingelheim Corporation (Ridgefield, CT) and a member of the Boehringer Ingelheim group of companies.

The Boehringer Ingelheim group is one of the world's 20 leading pharmaceutical companies. Headquartered in Ingelheim, Germany, it operates globally with 145 affiliates and more than 44,000 employees.

Since it was founded in 1885, the family-owned company has been committed to researching, developing, manufacturing and marketing novel medications of high therapeutic value for human and veterinary medicine.

As a central element of its culture, Boehringer Ingelheim pledges to act socially responsible. Involvement in social projects, caring for employees and their families, and providing equal opportunities for all employees form the foundation of the global operations. Mutual cooperation and respect, as well as environmental protection and sustainability are intrinsic factors in all of Boehringer Ingelheim's endeavors.

In 2011, Boehringer Ingelheim achieved net sales of about $17.1 billion (13.2 billion euro). R&D expenditure in the business area Prescription Medicines corresponds to 23.5% of its net sales.

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SOURCE Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc.