In spite of being classified as an arrhythmia, atrial fibrillation is so common that it has been given its own category. It is possible that you were already diagnosed as having atrial fibrillation by your GP as part of a routine health check. Atrial fibrillation may also be causing palpitations and an irregular heartbeat with palpitations.

Symptoms of atrial fibrillation can include palpitations and difficulty breathing. Atrial fibrillation occurs when there is a disturbance in the rhythm of one of the heart chambers (the left atrium). Although these symptoms are troublesome, they can be controlled with certain medications to control the heart rate or try and maintain a normal heart rhythm.

Atrial Fibrillation And Stroke Risk

As a result of atrial fibrillation, patients may be more likely to suffer from a stroke. In addition to atrial fibrillation, you can also increase your stroke risk by having other risk factors such as diabetes, high blood pressure, or being over a certain age. There may be a need to begin treatment to keep your blood thin if you already have AF with a stroke risk. This is called anticoagulation and there are two types of anticoagulants – warfarin or ‘novel anticoagulants’.

Whether you are already taking warfarin or are newly diagnosed with atrial fibrillation and have been offered anticoagulation, but unsure of which treatment to choose, you may wish to explore the possibility of a novel anticoagulant. Please make an appointment with a specialist who can help you with the most current advice regarding atrial fibrillation treatment.