Atrial Fibrillation is an alteration in the normal electrical conduction of the heart and affects 33 million people worldwide1. This alteration in the electrical conduction of the heart results in a sometimes rapid and typically irregular heartbeat, lower cardiac output, and can present as weakness, the sensation of palpitations, fatigue, chest pain, and shortness of breath2. Unfortunately, it can also be subclinical in nature and not be severe enough to present readily identifiable symptoms, increasing the patient’s risk of stroke due to lack of monitoring and treatment. It is characterized by the top chambers of the heart (atria) beating at a faster rate than the lower chambers of the heart (ventricles) and results in blood pooling in the atria. This blood pooling facilitates the development of blood clots which can lead to blockages in cerebral vascular circulation (ischemic stroke) and blood clots in the veins (venous thromboembolism (VTE)) and subsequent organ damage3.
According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC) approximately 795,000 patients suffer from stroke4 annually in the United States, 87% of which are ischemic5 with 14-30% of those being cardioembolic in nature6. A 2019 article published in the Journal of Neurological Sciences estimated the total cost of stroke including costs associated with underemployment and premature death at 103.5 billion US dollars7. Atrial fibrillation increases the risk of stroke by 4-5 times8 and although it does not increase the risk of heart attack, it can lead to other serious complications such as increased pulmonary venous pressure and resultant heart failure9.
ViSi Mobile, with life-threatening arrhythmia detection, can detect both chronic and subclinical atrial fibrillation and can notify for uncontrolled heart rates associated with atrial fibrillation with rapid ventricular response. By detecting atrial fibrillation early, patients can be appropriately diagnosed and treated, preventing complications such as heart failure and stroke.
1, Hooman, K., and Healey, J. (2017). Cardioembolic Stroke. Circulation Research. Retrieved 5/17/2021 from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5312810/pdf/nihms840977.pdf
2. Mayo Clinic. Atrial Fibrillation. Retrieved 5/13/2021 from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/atrial-fibrillation/symptoms-causes/syc-20350624#:~:text=and%20chaotic%20heartbeat.-,Atrial%20fibrillation%20is%20an%20irregular%20and%20often%20rapid%20heart%20rate,to%20175%20beats%20a%20minute.
3. Mayo Clinic. Reduce Your Risk of Stroke if You Have Atrial Fibrillation.Retrieved 5/17/2021 from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/atrial-fibrillation/in-depth/stroke-risk-atrial-fibrillation/art-20118481
4. Center for Disease Control (CDC). Stroke Facts. Retrieved 5/13/2021 from https://www.cdc.gov/stroke/facts.htm
5. https://www.stroke.org/en/about-stroke/types-of-stroke
6. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2994107/pdf/CCR-6-150.pdf
7. Girotra, T., Lekoubou, A., Bishu, K., Ovbiagele, B. (2019). A Contemporary and Comprehensive Analysis of the Costs of Strokes in the United States. Retrieved 5/14/2021 from https://www.jns-journal.com/article/S0022-510X(19)32408-6/fulltext
8. Center for Disease Control (CDC). Atrial Fibrillation. Retrieved 5/13/2021 from https://www.cdc.gov/heartdisease/atrial_fibrillation.htm
9. Cleveland Clinic. Atrial Fibrillation. Retrieved 5/13/2021 from https://www.clevelandclinicmeded.com/medicalpubs/diseasemanagement/cardiology/atrial-fibrillation/