Non Valvular Atrial Fibrillation
Nonvalvular Atrial Fibrillation is what our patients experience when they have a atrial fibrillation (AFib) not caused by valvular heart disease. At this time, there isn't enough research available that defines nonvalvular AFib. The primary factor that physicians are still deciding has to do with which causes of AFib are valvular and which nonvalvular.
Symptoms of nonvalvular atrial fibrillation
- uncomfortable sensations in the chest
- a sensation that feels like a flutter in your chest
- palpitations
- feeling dizzy or like you are about to pass out
- labored breathing
- exhaustion
What causes nonvalvular atrial fibrillation?
- consumption and usage of things that stimulate the heart such as alcohol, caffeine, or tobacco
- sleep disorder
- high blood pressure
- health problems having to do with the lungs
- overactive thyroid gland
- stress on the body due to severe illness, such as pneumonia
How is nonvalvular atrial fibrillation treated?
Medication
Our patients experiencing any type of AFib will undoubtedly have their physician prescribe them an anticoagulant medication. The reason for this is because AFib can cause your heart’s chambers to quiver, which hinders blood from flowing through normally. Some of the medications your physician may prescribe include:
- dabigatran (Pradaxa)
- rivaroxaban (Xarelto)
- apixaban (Eliquis)
Procedures
Another option your physician may suggest is utilizing procedures that will get your heart beating at a normal rhythm. Those procedures include:
Cardioversion: An electrical current is sent to your heart to attempt to reset your heart to a normal rhythm.
Ablation: Damaged parts that are causing your heart to beat irregularly are removed during this procedure. The goal in doing this is to have your heart start beating in rhythm again.