Sanofi US has teamed up with crooner Barry Manilow in kicking off a national awareness campaign for atrial fibrillation (AFib) called “Get Back in Rhythm.”

AFib is a condition that causes the heart to race off its natural rhythm, which can result in a heart attack, stroke and, in some cases, death. It currently affects about 2.5 million Americans, a  number that is expected to grow to 12 million by 2050, according to a Sanofi press release. The objective of the “Get Back in Rhythm” campaign is to raise awareness about the risks of AFib and the importance of keeping the heart in cadence.

“When I first experienced AFib more than 15 years ago, it was really scary—it felt like a fish flopping around in my chest,” said Manilow, recalling his own experience with the condition in a statement. “I was really lucky I had such great doctors helping me manage it from the start.”

Three primary goals should be considered when managing AFib. These goals—which are defined by the American Heart Association (AHA), the American College of Cardiology and Heart Rhythm Society—include: getting a person’s heart back in rhythm, slowing down a racing heart rate and preventing a stroke from occurring. However, diagnosing AFib can be tricky, and patients of the condition often do not recognize any of its  symptoms before serious health issues occur. With this factor in mind, Manilow encourages AFib patients to take a Rhythm IQ quiz at GetBackInRhythm.com. The site also provides information on the risks of the disease and a printable guide for patients to bring with them on HCP visits. 

In addition to the website and printed materials, this campaign includes a public service announcement featuring Manilow, which debuted September 14 at the singer’s concert at the Warner Theatre in Washington, D.C.

“I thought I understood the dangers of AFib pretty well, but it turns out I didn’t,” said Manilow in a promotional video for the campaign. “Logon to GetBackInRhythm.com, and learn more about all the risks of AFib, because I feel better when my heart and my music are in rhythm.”