Atrial Fibrillation (AFib) Support Group
Atrial fibrillation (AF or afib) is an abnormal heart rhythm (cardiac arrhythmia) which involves the two small, upper heart chambers (the atria). Heart beats in a normal heart begin after electricity generated in the atria by the sinoatrial node spread through the heart and cause contraction of the heart muscle and pumping of blood.
Hi everyone,
I was wondering if anyone has done any research on the risks of getting a gastrointestinal bleed from taking 325mg aspiring for many years. My cardiologist has been having me take this for 10 years now. Does anyone know what happens if you do get a GI bleed? Do they have you stop taking aspirin? I have tried to ask my cardiologist to let me take garlic but he says it isn't as effective in preventing a stroke as aspirin. I also found out that taking cod liver oil is an effective natural blood thinner. Anyone else looked into this? I figure that I could be taking aspirin for another 40 years so I am definitely concerned about the chances of a GI bleed in the future. I guess it's taking a calculated risk between the low chance of a stroke from a fib or the low chance of getting a GI bleed. Am I incorrect on this?
Also, I have sleep apnea. It's very mild. I almost didn't qualify for a cpap mask, but I have been very depressed about the thought of using a cpap mask. It's very demoralizing and uncomfortable, but I know it's the gold standard in treating apnea. I am slowly losing weight and hoping that will allow me to avoid the mask. Anyone else had experience with these feelings or success in losing weight and avoiding having to wear a mask?
I was wondering if anyone has done any research on the risks of getting a gastrointestinal bleed from taking 325mg aspiring for many years. My cardiologist has been having me take this for 10 years now. Does anyone know what happens if you do get a GI bleed? Do they have you stop taking aspirin? I have tried to ask my cardiologist to let me take garlic but he says it isn't as effective in preventing a stroke as aspirin. I also found out that taking cod liver oil is an effective natural blood thinner. Anyone else looked into this? I figure that I could be taking aspirin for another 40 years so I am definitely concerned about the chances of a GI bleed in the future. I guess it's taking a calculated risk between the low chance of a stroke from a fib or the low chance of getting a GI bleed. Am I incorrect on this?
Also, I have sleep apnea. It's very mild. I almost didn't qualify for a cpap mask, but I have been very depressed about the thought of using a cpap mask. It's very demoralizing and uncomfortable, but I know it's the gold standard in treating apnea. I am slowly losing weight and hoping that will allow me to avoid the mask. Anyone else had experience with these feelings or success in losing weight and avoiding having to wear a mask?
Since you have a cardiologist, I assume you have some sort of heart issue, although you didn't specifically say you have atrial fibrillation, but I assume you do or you probable wouldn't be on this forum. As I'm sure you know, the big risk with a-fib is a stroke, so you might want to ask your cardiologist if aspirin is enough protection (vs. an actual anticoagulant).
Even without a-fib, again the big risk with sleep apnea (aside from being perpetually tired) is it can cause a stroke. So even if you have mild apnea, you should treat it. I understand your reluctance to use CPAP (I've been there) but the risks of untreated apnea are just too great to ignore.
Good luck to you.
Also.....hope I didn't discourage you about cpap. I just can't do it, although maybe I should.
I have sleep apnea and hated the mask. It didn't help me feel any better.I didn't feel any better in the AM and I didn't really have the usual sleep apnea symptoms anyway. I also tried the dental appliance which moves your lower jaw forward. It actually sprained my jaw and I was in pain for a couple months. So that failed.
I went to see a surgeon and he said to just lie on my stomach or side and I really don't need anything else.
Everyone is different. Good luck!!
Aspirin is in debate as to how good it is for afib stroke. Check out CHA2DS2Vasc scoring and see what is recommended for you (wiki has a good summary with charts).
Forget the garlic, unless you are using it for flavor or to scare off vampires.
Last, afib stroke risk is significant, depending on your CHA2DS2Vasc score.
Comparing a GI bleed with an afib stroke is like comparing a Yugo to a Hummer.
petey
I have taken 81mg aspirin for 24 years... no problem.
petey
I have read where aspirin is not effective for afib stroke prevention; I eat natto regularly even before being diagnosed with afib, and it is potentially useful as a clot-buster and blood thinner
I was diagnosed with mild central sleep apnea based on a take home test. Dr had wanted a sleep study because they are more accurate but the insurance would not approve. No treatment was given. Four months later I had a sleep study (approved by Insurance) and no sleep apnea .
Hope you are successful in not using the mask.
opsyn
If I learned anything from a recent study (325mg 1X daily) that I was involved in on the effects of aspirin on one's stomach and upper small intestine.
That would be that the effects (ulcers, bleeding etc.) of taking it (aspirin) will show up right away over a period of a month or so or sooner.
If they don't show up at this time I think they may not show up at all.
Now I could be wrong, but this is the impression I was left with.
Other factors however may result in some future damage to these internal organs down the road.
At least for now I was told that I have an iron clad stomach.
:)
Erik