Heart and Aorta Palpitation

Palpitation
Awareness of one’s own heartbeats is known as Palpitation. Valve disorders can present with
various types of rhythm disturbances. Extra beats (Premature atrial / Ventricular Contractions)
are quite common. Atrial Fibrillation is common in Mitral Stenosis and Mitral Regurgitation.
Atrial fibrillation (AF)​ is an abnormal rhythm where atrial contractions are ineffective and rapid
and ventricular contractions are irregular. Often presented as palpitation. In valvular diseases
this condition is caused by atrial dilatation and commonly found in Mitral disease. Atrial
fibrillation causes blood to stagnate in atria and can cause clots in the atria. This can lead to
Thrombo-Embolism (Migration of small clots into the circulation causing occlusion of arteries) It
can embolize to legs or abdomen. When it happens in the brain circulation, the result is a
stroke! So AF is a serious condition which needs to be treated. Patient has to be on
Anticoagulant medications (Blood thinning agents to prevent clots) until AF is reverted.
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