Jun 15, 2017

Download PDF Copy June 15, 2017 Happitech, Arrhythmia Alliance and Bug Labs will announce the launch of the Heart for Heart e-health initiative. This initiative invites people to participate in the world’s largest crowdsourced heart health initiative by inviting them to contribute their heart rhythm data using the free Heart for Heart iPhone App. “In the same way, you donate your money for a good cause, we are asking you to donate 90 seconds of your heart rhythm data to help advance research,” said Yosef Safi Harb, Founder of Happitech. “The data generated by Heart for Heart will be used to better differentiate between AF and a regular heartbeat rhythm. This will speed up the development and accuracy of the technology and create insights into new health correlations.” The data generated by Heart for Heart is used to improve differentiation between Atrial Fibrillation (AF) and a Regular Heart Rate. Heart for Heart gives the users full control of the data they want to share and keeps it anonymized, aggregated and untraceable. The App also contains an information module about the symptoms, causes and treatment options of AF. The collected data will be shared and visualized using Bug Labs’ web-based, freeboard™ platform, updated every three weeks. Peter Semmelhack, CEO & Founder Bug Labs said, “freeboard allows everybody to easily access, via any web browser, the results of the Heart for Heart initiative in an intuitive and easy way, helping give meaning to the data.” Arrhythmia Alliance focus is to raise awareness for the many millions of people across the globe affected by heart rhythm disorders known as Arrhythmias. AF is the most common Arrhythmia and a prevalent cause of stroke in the world, leading to annual totals of 750,000 hospitalizations and 130,000 deaths, with those numbers rising for the past two decades. For doctors, it is paramount to know what is exactly going on with the heart at the time of irregular heart rhythm episodes. Jonas de Jong, MD, PhD electrophysiologist and Founder of ECGpedia.org said, “Intermittent AF can be difficult to diagnose. Many heart rhythm disorders are only briefly present and people miss out on a proper diagnosis. With undiagnosed and untreated AF, a blood clot may form inside the heart’s atria, due to insufficient blood flow. Being able to detect AF on the spot improves its diagnosis, allows for its proper treatment and will positively alter the prognosis.” ”More than a third of those with AF are completely unaware that they have this condition,” said Trudie Lobban MBE, Founder & CEO of Arrhythmia Alliance & AF Association. Why should patients live in fear of an AF-related stroke, heart failure, or worse when they have the solution to help detect AF literally at their fingertips?” Trudie Lobban MBE, Founder & CEO of Arrhythmia Alliance & AF Association. Related Stories