Excesssive bleeding from a superficial wound is a lot easier to treat than a stroke, which can change your life forever (as well as those you care about), or end it completely.

I'm a woodworker, and I'm always cutting myself and bleeding everywhere, but to me that's preferable to having a stroke. If you're in permanent afib I would imagine your stroke risk would be even higher.

If I were you I'd rethink my position.

Stroke is worse than a possible cut. Over 65 gives you 1 point on the CHA2DS2Vasc system. You have the same situation as me with the longstanding persistent, moderate heart rate, no HBP,etc, 66... being in altitude can increase stroke risk also:

http://www.mountainprofessor.com/high-altitude-stroke.html

A stroke or even TIA in the woods is dangerous. I take Pradaxa and bleed less than on aspirin. Aspirin only cuts stroke risk (afib stroke) by 24%. It is not reversible either. It takes 7 days to replace blood cells.

Get on an anticoagulant. In your case, a NOAC would be best.

BTW, you can stop bleeding by applying pressure or using Celox available on Amazon.

Thanks for the input...I see you point! I really appreciate it.

So is there any concern that longstanding permanent a-fib will remodel heart toward reduced ejection fraction? Is there much research to support that? Regarding blood thinners, I recommend anti-coagulation. I'm on warfarin with an INR of 3 - 3.5, been sticked with all sorts of needles and catheters last two weeks and no major bleeds.

I take Pradaxa. I have fallen and had hematomas..that looked terrible, but didn't hurt, and eventually disappeared. I've cut myself a lot...some of my cuts have been deep and took awhile to stop bleeding...but they eventually did....apply tight compress and hold above your heart if possible...and keep tight pressure for 15 minutes...NO peeking!
I've hit my head hard and gotten a big egg, but was fine. I've rubbed my eyes to much and had blood shot eyes...that went away after a day or 2. That's what comes to mind....My dr told me not to climb trees with a chain saw and I would be fine

I do relate to you about hiking alone....I do this with photography. I realize I am taking a chance, but I do it anyway.

Best Wishes!!

From my research afib and blood thinners just go together.

I was immediately put on Eliquis at DX of afib. I have not had any major injuries, but needed a mole removed and Dr. ready with everything to srop bleeding. Nothing! Just a bandaid and on my way. I have always bruised bad and have not seen much a difference.

When paramedics had to transport one time they were much happier to see me on Eliquis....their job was easier as they started treatment on the way to hospital.

I have seen the results of stroke so it is a no brainer for me. EP said it is much easier to treat a bleed than stroke and better recovery.

I hate knowing it is for life! But then a lot of people have things they have to treat for life.

laurab

I take Eliquis (after I had a stroke, while on 325 mg aspirin daily), and will be on an anticoagulant for life (DVT, PE, AFIB, Stroke). Believe me, you don't want a stroke.

I too take Eliquis and I imagine it will be for the rest of my like and I am okay with that. No guarantee but I like the odds much better than worrying about stroke risk all of the time. When I get a cut I just put pressure on and it stops okay.

http://www.nejm.org/doi/pdf/10.1056/NEJMoa1409312
Future evaluation of thienopyridine
therapy with an aim toward reducing the
risks of cardiovascular events beyond the duration
of this study may be warranted.
An unexpected finding was that the number
of deaths from any cause during the treatment
period was higher in the group that continued to
receive thienopyridine than in the group that
received placebo, a difference that was driven by
an increase in the number of deaths from noncardiovascular
causes in the thienopyridine group.

Hwkmn: What does thienopyridine have to do with anticoagulants? Aspirin and thienopyridine are antiplatelets,btw.

Bert, I understand your concern. This is the short story: I was put on a blood thinner and suffered a bleeding stroke within a month. My EP did not acknowledge my symptoms but told me they (headaches) were a side-effect. This is not my opinion but experience. I was put on blood thinner strictly based on chad statistics, as I assume most people with a-fib are. ( I have rare PAF occurrences with no known cause. )No, you do not want a stroke of either variety. My only opinion or caution is to consider all risks carefully. I am very lucky to have survived the hemorrhagic stroke in good shape according to my neurosurgeon. (I do not see replies to these discussions for 2-3 days so may miss).

Petey I am reading the posts here. I am waiting for a call from my heart specialist. Can you tell me what a NOAC is?

Thank you,
Sandy

NOAC is a Novel Oral Anticoagulant. The popular ones being Pradaxa, Xarelto, Eliquis. They are more effective than Coumadin (warfarin aka rat poison) in preventing strokes and preventing unnecessary bleeds. They do not require regular blood work, nor do they require dietary modifications. At this time there are no antidotes for the NOAC's that are approved by the FDA. Antidotes still look to be about year away. Many of us here take one of the NOAC's and are happy with them (although at least one member has had a bleed).

Like anything else in medicine, nothing is guaranteed (but you still have to pay the bill, even if it doesn't work ... not like a car mechanic -g-). BTW, they are expensive. Make sure your insurance company will pay. Some of the manufacturers of the NOAC's have special discount programs.

Wow cahbrew, I am Happy, you Are Lucky!!!

I lost a friend who took Pradaxa. My Dr. said her Hemorrhagic stroke was caused by it, but he also said, her stroke would have been a bad one.

My Dad had 2 strokes, the second was terrible and it was a blessing when he passed.

I take Pradaxa knowing this.