Conditions and symptoms
What Is Nonvalvular Atrial Fibrillation? AF Explained
Nonvalvular Atrial Fibrillation · say it: non-VAL-vyoo-ler AY-tree-ul fib-ruh-LAY-shunAlso written: NVAF, non-valvular AF, non-valvular atrial fibrillation, AFib
Short answer
Nonvalvular atrial fibrillation is an irregular heart rhythm (AF) that is not caused by certain serious heart valve problems or a mechanical valve.
What it means
Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a common heart rhythm problem in which the upper chambers of the heart beat irregularly and often fast. Blood can pool and form clots in the heart, which can travel to the brain and cause a stroke. 'Nonvalvular' means the AF is not linked to a mechanical heart valve or to moderate-to-severe narrowing of the mitral valve.
The term appears on labels of newer anticoagulants (blood thinners) because they are approved to lower stroke risk in nonvalvular AF. People with a mechanical valve or significant mitral stenosis usually need a different blood thinner, such as warfarin. So the word 'nonvalvular' tells your prescriber which patients the medicine is meant for.
Nonvalvular does not mean your heart valves are perfectly normal; minor valve changes are common and still count as nonvalvular AF in most cases.
Where you may see it
- The 'Indications' section of anticoagulant labels
- ECG and cardiology reports
- Hospital discharge summaries
📄 How it looks on a report
Indicated to reduce the risk of stroke and systemic embolism in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation.
🙅 What it does not mean
- Nonvalvular does not mean you have no valve changes at all.
- AF that comes and goes still carries a stroke risk and may still need a blood thinner.
- Feeling no palpitations does not mean the AF has gone; ECGs can show it.
🗒️ Questions to ask your doctor
💊 Medicines whose labels mention “Nonvalvular Atrial Fibrillation”
Plain-English explanations of each medicine, from its official FDA label.
- Apixaban
A factor Xa inhibitor, a blood thinner medicine (anticoagulant)
🔗 Read more from trusted sources
- “Nonvalvular Atrial Fibrillation” on MedlinePlus ↗
US National Library of Medicine
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