Check Your Pulse America(tm) (CYPA) is a direct-to-consumer initiative developed by Kaleida Health neurologist, Frederick E. Munschauer, III, M.D. to increase public awareness of atrial fibrillation (AF) and its medical consequences. Sponsored by the Research Center for Stroke and Heart Disease in Buffalo, NY, CYPA is designed to demonstrate the effectiveness of community-based screening for AF.

AF (an irregular heartbeat) is a significant public health problem, resulting in an estimated 80,000 stroke and 12,000 deaths in the U.S. annually. About 15-20% of all strokes are caused by AF. It is present in 2.2 million Americans and is frequently unrecognized and untreated. Fortunately, however, stroke can be prevented.

Like breast self-examination, people can be taught to check their pulse to see if AF is present. Once identified and properly treated, the risk of stroke caused by AF can be reduced by 70%, which will have a great impact on reducing health care costs.

CYPA educates communities to recognize the early symptoms of stroke and to seek urgent treatment (Stroke = Brain Attack = 911). It teaches individuals to be aware of AF and to screen themselves and friends for this important risk factor for stroke. During 2000, major community-based training initiatives were launched in nine major metropolitan areas - including Delaware Valley, Tampa Bay, Phoenix, Detroit, Chicago, Atlanta, Seattle, Washington, D.C. and Western New York. In 2001, training initiatives will be launched in 4 more major metropolitan areas.

In the U.S., stroke is the 3rd leading cause of death and the leading cause of adult disability. CYPA train-the-trainer and community education sessions have been held throughout the country to help combat these alarming statistics.