Patients

Benefits 

In comparison to traditional heart monitoring techniques, Corsano offers a full range of benefits to the patient. Instead of a holter monitoring device with electrodes on the body, the patient will wear a comfortable and aesthetic bracelet. Moreover, we provide state-of-the-art technology, which is medically validated to perform on the same level as current techniques.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Atrial Fibrillation (AFib or AF)?

Atrial fibrillation is a quivering or irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia) that can lead to blood clots, stroke, heart failure and other heart-related complications. 

Normally, your heart contracts and relaxes to a regular beat. In atrial fibrillation, the upper chambers of the heart (the atria) beat irregularly (quiver) instead of beating effectively to move blood into the ventricles.

In the case of a clot breaking off, enters the bloodstream and lodges in an artery leading to the brain, a stroke results. About 15 to 20 percent of people who have strokes have this heart arrhythmia. This clot risk is why patients with this condition are put on blood thinners.

Even though untreated atrial fibrillation doubles the risk of heart-related deaths and is associated with a 5-fold increased risk for stroke, many patients are unaware that AFib is a serious condition.

How do other patients experience Atrial Fibrillation?

Here’s how patients have described their experience:

“My heart flip-flops, skips beats, and feels like it’s banging against my chest wall, especially if I’m carrying stuff up my stairs or bending down.”

“I was nauseated, light-headed, and weak. I had a really fast heartbeat and felt like I was gasping for air.”

“I had no symptoms at all. I discovered my AF at a regular check-up. I’m glad we found it early.”

What causes Atrial Fibrillation?

There is not only one cause of AF, although there are multiple risk factors. About 75 percent of the people with AF is older than 65. Apart from old age, people with a high blood pressure, diabetes, other heart diseases, thyroid diseases or sleep apnea have a higher chance of developing AF. Sometimes the atrial fibrillation is a reaction to the use of stimulants, such as caffeine, alcohol, tobacco or drugs. Moreover, there are rare forms of AF with a genetic predisposition. These forms usually manifest at young ages. 

What are the symptoms of Atrial Fibrillation?

The most common symptom is a quivering or fluttering heartbeat. Sometimes people with AF have no symptoms and their condition is only detectable upon physical examination. Still, others may experience one or more of the following symptoms:

  • General fatigue
  • Rapid and irregular heartbeat
  • Fluttering or “thumping” in the chest
  • Dizziness
  • Shortness of breath and anxiety
  • Weakness
  • Faintness or confusion
  • Fatigue when exercising
  • Sweating
  • Chest pain or pressure → This is a medical emergency. You may be having a heart attack. Call a doctor immediately.
What are the symptoms of a stroke?

As stated earlier, having atrial fibrillation can put you at an increased risk for stroke. Here are the warning signs that you should be aware of:

  • Chest discomfort: Most heart attacks involve discomfort in the center of the chest that lasts more than a few minutes, or that goes away and comes back. It can feel like uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain.
  • Discomfort in other areas of the upper body: Symptoms can include pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw or stomach.
  • Shortness of breath: With or without chest discomfort
  • Other signs: may include breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea or lightheadedness
What are different types of Atrial Fibrillation?

Based on the presentation, duration, and spontaneous termination of AF episodes, five types of AF are traditionally distinguished: 

  • First diagnosed AF: AF that has not been diagnosed before, irrespective of the duration of the arrhythmia or the presence and severity of AF-related symptoms
  • Paroxysmal AF: Self-terminating in most cases within 48 hours some AF paroxysms may continue for up to 7 days. AF episodes that are cardioverted within 7 days should be considered paroxysmal
  • Persistent AF: AF that lasts longer than 7 days, including episodes that are terminated by cardioversion, either with drugs or by direct current cardioversion, after 7 days or more
  • Long-standing persistent AF: Continuous AF lasting for more than 1 year when it is decided to adopt a rhythm control strategy
  • Permanent AF: AF that is accepted by the patient (and physician). Hence, rhythm control interventions are, by definition, not pursued in patients with permanent AF. Should a rhythm control strategy be adopted, the arrhythmia would be re-classified as ‘long-standing persistent AF’.
Is Atrial Fibrillation dangerous?

On itself, AF is not that dangerous, but it can have serious consequences. Because the blood flow is irregular with AF, it can flow very slow in the heart. This causes potential clotting of the blood. If such a clot breaks off, it enters the bloodstream and can clog arteries. This blocks the supply of fresh, oxygenated blood, which can cause a stroke. Concluding, AF can be potentially dangerous. However, not everybody with AF will develop strokes.

If you still have a question regarding the technique you can contact us here. In case you have medical questions, you should contact your doctor.