What's the Shape of Your Heart? New Web Site Highlights Innovative Cures for People Living with Irregular Heartbeat

San Luis Obispo, CA (PRWEB) June 15, 2007 -- How would you feel if you knew your heart might suddenly start beating out of control, causing you to faint at the gym, in a supermarket aisle or even while driving? You'd be a little nervous, to say the least. Yet millions of Americans who suffer from atrial fibrillation face this fear every day, never knowing when a serious episode may occur. Mellanie True Hills, a brave survivor of emergency heart surgery, sought to create an online community to educate people about atrial fibrillation by teaming up with Etna Interactive, a national Web services firm. Etna is now pleased to announce the release of www.StopAfib.org, an online informational resource that encourages men and women to learn more about their risks.

"Mellanie is a remarkable individual," said Ryan Miller, president of Etna Interactive. "She's exactly the right person to spread the good news on the expanding range of atrial fibrillation treatments and cures -- she has both a personal passion for the cause and a wealth of Internet experience from her years as a corporate exec, experience she is using to educate and network heart patients all across the country."

Atrial fibrillation, often referred to as "afib," is the most common heart irregularity in the United States. Due to a breakdown in the heart's electric signals, people who live with afib may experience irregular heartbeat, rapid heartbeat or quivering of the upper chambers of the heart. Some people have only mild, infrequent incidents where their heart skips a beat, while others face almost constant fluttering and pressure in the chest that makes them anxious and exhausted. Many with mild symptoms worry their condition could dramatically worsen in, well, a heartbeat. Afib can overwork the heart over time, and cause blood clots or a stroke. Very simply, the condition does kill: at least one person every hour every day of the year.

"After what I went through, I couldn't stand on the sidelines," said Ms. Hills, who is also the founder and CEO of the American Foundation for Women's Health. "There were just way too many women like me who misunderstood the risks associated with atrial fibrillation and other heart conditions, who thought that only men suffered serious heart problems. Everyone really needs to learn more."

To address these educational needs, Etna Interactive designed the Web site to include the latest news and research on afib, as well as pages detailing the various treatment methods now used to manage afib. One of the site's most popular areas is the section on surgical methods that are actually curing atrial fibrillation for many patients, methods such as catheter ablation and maze surgical ablation. Here, site visitors who want to learn more about potential cures can find out if they are good candidates for these procedures, and what to expect both before and after their surgery. Visitors can even sign up for a free newsletter to keep up on the most recent afib treatment innovations.

"At Etna, we believe that patient education is essential, and we're always looking for the next great opportunity to make the world a healthier place," added Mr. Miller. "The chance to combine our Internet know-how with Mellanie's heart health message was one of those cosmic convergences, almost too good to be true."

Etna Interactive delivers solutions for the online media needs of a wide variety of medical professionals and health advocates. By assisting physicians, surgeons, and non-profit groups with their marketing needs, Etna helps increase public awareness of life-saving and life-enhancing procedures that allow patients to remain integral members of their communities and provide the freedom to enjoy more time with their loved ones. Learn more about Etna Interactive by visiting www.etnainteractive.com.

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