Video: Astrazeneca Calls on All Americans to Join US AGAINST ATHERO to Fight the Nation's Number One Killer
Posted on: Tuesday, 24 March 2009, 09:00 CDT
2009 Artery Explorer Tour Kicks Off This Month, Urging People Across the Country to Take Action Against Atherosclerosis
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To view the Multimedia News Release, go to: http://www.prnewswire.com/mnr/uaa/37598/
US AGAINST ATHERO was conceived three years ago by AstraZeneca after a nationwide Harris Interactive survey confirmed the general public's low level of awareness about athero and its risks. Working with partners including the Association of Black Cardiologists, the National Alliance on Hispanic Health and WomenHeart, AstraZeneca realized that to get people to take steps to protect their arteries, they needed to see what they could not feel. This fundamental idea led to the creation of US AGAINST ATHERO, a national movement designed to increase awareness of the leading cause of stroke and heart disease, and help Americans fight athero with knowledge.
"The US AGAINST ATHERO movement has made great strides in mobilizing Americans to make healthy choices. However, there is still a lot of work to be done," said Dr.
Before turning 35, two out of three Americans will have some degree of plaque build-up in their arteries.(1) However, athero typically has no signs or symptoms until an artery becomes severely narrowed or completely blocked. At this point, people may suffer a heart attack, stroke, or other serious, potentially fatal, health problem.
Inside the Artery Explorer, participants travel through the winding path of the human circulatory system as the arteries become narrow and blocked with plaque. Along the way, people are confronted by common risk factors for athero, such as LDL (bad) cholesterol, high blood pressure, and smoking. The experience culminates with a head-on collision with a blood clot, memorably demonstrating how athero can lead to heart attack and stroke.
"Now is the time to join us in the fight against this deadly disease. Take action by telling a friend to talk to their doctor about athero, by taking a loved-one to an US AGAINST ATHERO event or by visiting athero.com to register for free health information," said
Since its 2007 launch, the US AGAINST ATHERO movement has educated millions of Americans about preventing and managing athero. For a full listing of cities in the 2009 tour, as well as more information about athero, visit www.athero.com. To receive additional health information including questions to ask your doctor about athero, be sure to click the link for the Athero IQ program. The Web site also features a video of the journey through the arteries for those unable to experience the Artery Explorer in person.
About Atherosclerosis (Athero)
Athero is the progressive buildup of plaque - made of fat, cholesterol, and other substances - in the inner walls of the arteries.(1) Elevated cholesterol and other risk factors can contribute to the disease, and for many, the disease progresses silently, with no visible signs or symptoms.(2) Athero is the leading cause of coronary heart disease (CHD), which affects more than 1.2 million Americans and is the No. 1 killer in the U.S.(3) Approximately 785,000 Americans will have their first heart attack in 2009 and about every minute someone will die from a coronary event.(2) Athero is also a leading cause of stroke, which affects nearly 800,000 Americans each year.(2) Together, CHD and stroke kill more Americans every year than all cancers combined.
About US AGAINST ATHERO
US AGAINST ATHERO is a movement sponsored by AstraZeneca to increase our nation's awareness of athero with hopes that all Americans will take steps to take care of their arteries. Through education and information, US AGAINST ATHERO supports people in becoming advocates for their own health and for the health of others. To join the US AGAINST ATHERO effort, please visit www.athero.com.
About AstraZeneca
AstraZeneca is engaged in the research, development, manufacturing and marketing of meaningful prescription medicines and in the supply of health care services. AstraZeneca is one of the world's leading pharmaceutical companies with global health care sales of
For more information about AstraZeneca in the US or our AZ&Me Prescription Savings programs, please visit: www.astrazeneca-us.com.
(1) Strong et al. Prevalence and extend of atherosclerosis in adolescents and young adults. JAMA. 1999; 281 (8): 727-735.
(2) "What are the Signs and Symptoms of Atherosclerosis?" National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute. Available at:www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/dci/Diseases/Atherosclerosis/Atherosclerosis_Signs.html. Accessed
(3) Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics: 2009 Update. American Heart Association. Accessed
SOURCE AstraZeneca
Source: PR Newswire
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