Heart Rhythm Society

The Heart Rhythm Society (HRS) is an international non-profit organization that promotes education and advocacy for cardiac arrhythmia professionals and patients. The Society was founded in 1979 and counted 5,100 members from over 70 countries as of January 2009.^[1] The Official Journal of the Heart Rhythm Society is HeartRhythm, which provides readers basic and clinical scientific developments devoted to arrhythmias, devices, and cardiovascular electrophysiology. The HRS is headquartered in Washington, DC, USA.^[2]

Mission statement

The Heart Rhythm Society states its mission as "To improve the care of patients by advancing research, education and optimal health care policies and standards".

The HRS is a leading resource on cardiac pacing and electrophysiology. This specialty organization represents medical, allied health, and science professionals from more than 70 countries who specialize in cardiac rhythm disorders HRS delivers programs and services to its membership based on its current Strategic Plan under the guidance of a Board of Trustees. Members and staff adhere to the HRS Code of Ethics and Professional Standards.^[1]

Awareness Campaigns

Atrial Fibrillation Awareness

The Heart Rhythm Society (HRS), through its efforts during Atrial Fibrillation Awareness (AFib) Month in September and throughout the year, is working to increase public knowledge of AFib, including its symptoms, warning signs, and available treatment options.^[3][4]

Sudden Cardiac Arrest Awareness

Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) Awareness Month represents a critical initiative by the Heart Rhythm Society to raise awareness for SCA and help the public become more familiar with what it is, how it affects people, and what can be done to help save lives.

The Society's award-winning "Apples and Oranges" campaign uses a simple analogy to educate people about the difference between a heart attack and SCA. The campaign targets heart attack survivors, who are at the highest risk for SCA, and stresses the importance of maintaining a healthy heart lifestyle and learning critical risk markers, especially their Ejection Fraction (EF).^[5][6]

Arrest the Risk Awareness Campaign

In October 2012, the Heart Rhythm Society launched a multi-year, national awareness campaign, Arrest the Risk, in an effort to elevate the issue of SCA prevention, early intervention, and appropriate treatment among the African-American and Hispanic populations; increase awareness of disparities at point of care; and positively impact SCA mortality and re-hospitalization rates in the U.S.^[7][8]

Activities

The Heart Rhythm Society's government advocacy efforts center on operating as an intermediary between regulatory agencies and its members. The society promotes programs to take action regarding legislation, creates and endorses clinical guidelines, and helps its members find funding opportunities from government agencies such as the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

The Society also provides several educational initiatives including courses held throughout the year, certification and CME programs and an annual conference, called Scientific Sessions.

Presidents

Presidents of the Heart Rhythm Society from conception are listed below. Note that the leadership cycle is five years, with service as President being in the fourth year. This allows the Society to project presidents three years hence. Anne M. Gillis, whose election to the Presidency for the 2012-13 term was revealed at the May 2009 meeting of the Society, will become the second non-American to serve in that capacity. The first was Bernard S. Goldman in 1982. Both Dr. Gillis, Medical Director of Cardiac Pacing and Electrophysiology at the Libin Cardiovascular Institute of Alberta, and Dr. Goldman are Canadian.^[9][10]

• J. Warren Harthorne, MD, FHRS, CCDS 1979-1981
• Seymour Furman, MD, CCDS 1981-1982
• Bernard S. Goldman, MD, FHRS, CCDS 1982-1983
• Robert G. Hauser, MD, FHRS, CCDS 1983-1984
• Albert L. Waldo, MD, FHRS, CCDS 1984-1985
• Jerry C. Griffin, MD, FHRS, CCDS 1985-1986
• Paul C. Gillette, MD, FHRS, CCDS 1986-1987
• Michael Bilitch, MD 1987
• Doris J. W. Escher, MD, FHRS 1988
• Melvin M. Scheinman, MD, FHRS 1988-1989
• Douglas P. Zipes, MD, FHRS 1989-1990
• Victor Parsonnet, MD, FHRS, CCDS 1990-1991
• James D. Maloney, MD, FHRS, CCDS 1991-1992
• Gerald C. Timmis, MD, FHRS, CCDS 1992-1993
• David G. Benditt, MD, FHRS, CCDS 1993-1994
• Nora Goldschlager, MD, FHRS 1994-1995
• Ralph Lazzara, MD, FHRS 1995-1996
• John D. Fisher, MD, FHRS, CCDS 1996-1997
• Sanjeev Saksena, MBBS, MD, FHRS 1997-1998
• David L. Hayes, MD, FHRS, CCDS 1998-1999
• Gerald V. Naccarelli, MD, FHRS 1999-2000
• David S. Cannom, MD, FHRS 2000-2001
• Eric N. Prystowsky, MD, FHRS 2001-2002
• Mark H. Schoenfeld, MD, FHRS, CCDS 2002-2003
• Michael E. Cain, MD 2003-2004
• Stephen C. Hammill, MD, FHRS 2004-2005
• Anne B. Curtis, MD, FHRS, CCDS 2005-2006
• Dwight W. Reynolds, MD, FHRS 2006-2007
• Bruce D. Lindsay, MD, FHRS, CCDS 2007-2008
• N. A. Mark Estes III, MD, FHRS, CCDS 2008-9
• Richard L. Page, MD, FHRS 2009-10
• Douglas L. Packer, MD, FHRS 2010-11
• Bruce L. Wilkoff, MD, FHRS, CCDS 2011-12
• Anne M. Gillis, BSc, MD, FRCPC 2012-13^[11]

References

1. 1 2 "About the Heart Rhythm Society". Heart Rhythm Society. 2013. Retrieved 25 January 2013. 
2. ↑ "HeartRhythm Journal". Retrieved 2008-04-21. 
3. ↑ "Atrial Fibrillation Awareness Campaign". Heart Rhythm Society. Retrieved 23 January 2013. 
4. ↑ "September is Atrial Fibrillation Awareness Month!". Live Healthy in Austin. Retrieved 28 January 2013. 
5. ↑ "Sudden Cardiac Arrest Awareness Campaign". Heart Rhythm Society. Retrieved 23 January 2013. 
6. ↑ "Heart Rhythm Society Selected Winner 33rd Annual Telly Awards". EP Lab Digest. Retrieved 28 January 2013. 
7. ↑ "Arrest the Risk Awareness Campaign". Heart Rhythm Society. Retrieved 23 January 2013. 
8. ↑ "Arrest The Risk Heart Rhythm Society SCA Awareness". Health Surfing. Retrieved 28 January 2013. 
9. ↑ "Past presidents of the Heart Rhythm Society". Retrieved 2008-04-21. 
10. ↑ "Current Executive Committee". 
11. ↑ "UCalgary Faculty of Medicine professor chosen as president of Heart Rhythm Society". Retrieved 2009-05-25. 

External links

• Heart Rhythm Society Web site
• a healthfinder article about the Heart Rhythm Society
• National Guidelines Clearinghouse
• The Official Journal of the Heart Rhythm Society
• HRS Scientific Sessions Recordings