Been on Pradaxa for 3 years always had heartburn really bad even with food. New EP just switched me to Xaralto as he prefers it over Pradaxa for some reason, and having some side effects but no heartburn yeah! Just tired and bones hurt some. I am going for ablation next Weds, really nervous about that, but even with the ablation I think I would prefer to remain on an anticoagulant. Family history of strokes, never know if you could be in silent afib and I would rather be safe that sorry at any rate. I think the anti's keep your blodd form clotting as where the aspirin just thins your blood, not sure how that works. Petey what's your take?

Daisy: Anti-platelets (like aspirin) just keep your blood from sticking or clumping, while anti-coagulants (warfarin and the NOACs) slow down the clotting process by reducing fibrin formation. In afib, the worry is blood "pooling" (being stagnant) and causing an ischemic stroke. That involves fibrin. So anti-coagulants work best for that. However, there is another type of ischemic stroke... ones that are caused by clumping platelets that break off and cause the blockage. Aspirin and other anti-platelets are good for that.

Here is what the AF Association says:

"So the overall result is that While Aspirin has been found effective for stroke prevention caused by blockage (platelets sticking together), It has almost no effect in preventing a stroke caused by blood clotting. Prescribing Aspirin for a patient who has AF provides a false sense of safety against stroke unless there are other conditions which require aspirin. An anticoagulant is the only proven method to reduce risk of stroke for AF."

BTW, I take Pradaxa, but Xarelto is better if you are going in for an ablation. I don't have a scientific reason. I just read the outcomes are better.

petey

Well, I'm almost 62, female, and hx of hypertension. I was originally put on 325mg of aspirin when first diagnosed about 6 years ago. My EP now wants me on an anticoagulant. Just filled an Rx for Eliquis although I haven't started it yet.
Anybody who is taking eliquis?

Thanks Petey!

Thanks for your responses.

Interesting that there are some here without an ablation, that are still not on blood thinners other than aspirin. It just seems whenever I read the posts that the majority are and with good reason.

I wish aspirin were in fact what they used to claim it to be it appears that it could/can possibly help (I guess) but from the recent studies it also looks unreliable.

@ tcaepayguy (not to be confused with pacystep): I did read the epic "cure" thread and came in late, pretty crazy stuff. All I have to offer on any cure related topic would be the daily intake of potassium and magnesium which is certainly not a cure but a helpful supplement. I'm a devout New England Patriots fan and watching them play these last few months, I'm surprised I haven't been rushed to the hospital (DOA).

I guess IslandLuvr is still MIA - 'huh? If the "cure" thread did not smoke her out, nothing will.

Yes, Surfrat, the Pats have definitely been good for raising the heart rate this season!

81 mg of aspirin

I've been on Warfarin since 02. Tried Pradaxa and Xarelto and had complications with each. Had blood leakage from capillaries under the skin in both legs which turned my legs red, obviously, LOL! Was put back on Warfarin, this was about 6 mths ago. No problem since.

Xarelto 6 mos

Hi Thomas: Good to hear from you! When first diagnosed 3 years ago, I was prescribed aspirin. My initial diagnosis was paroxsysmal AF with daily episodes but I would go in and out of AF all day long. I was prescribed Plavix/aspirin combo after each of my two ablations. In January this year, my AF was considered persistent. I was prescribed Pradaxa and later switched to warfarin. I am still on warfarin and INR is stable. I was happy that my doc decided to start blood thinners. I have more peace of mind than when I was just on aspirin.

I'm on low dose aspirin since my doctor said I'm such a low risk..no afib for a few years. I questioned him about aspirin vs one of the new blood thinners and he did say if he felt I needed it, he would definitely have me on it. I have a great cardio doctor and went to an excellent EP when first diagnosed. Fortunately only the two episodes, so far, in 4 years..subject to change, I realize that, but for now, holding good.