Barry Manilow urges atrial fib. awareness

NEW YORK, Sept. 19 (UPI) -- Las Vegas singer Barry Manilow says he has joined with the drug firm Sanofi in a campaign to raise awareness about the heart condition atrial fibrillation.

"Get Back in Rhythm" is a national education campaign to raise awareness about atrial fibrillation and to encourage people to learn more about the risks of AFib and the importance of keeping the heart in rhythm.

"When I first experienced AFib more than 15 years ago, it was really scary -- it felt like a fish flopping around in my chest," Manilow said in a statement.

"I thought I knew about all the risks, but it turns out I didn't, so I was really lucky I had such great doctors helping me manage it from the start."

About 2.5 million U.S. adults have atrial fibrillation -- a serious heart disease that causes the heart to race and beat out of rhythm and can lead to permanent heart damage, heart attack, heart failure, stroke and death.

"At first, I kept my AFib private because I didn't want to acknowledge there was something wrong with my heart," Manilow admitted. "But now I realize a lot of my fans and so many others could be affected, so I want to do all I can to help them take it seriously, understand all the risks of AFib and seek the best care.

"The bottom line is AFib needs more awareness. Patients need more education."

Many may not recognize the symptoms or the health risks associated with it atrial fibrillation and Manilow encourages those affected to visit www.GetBackInRhythm.com.