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.

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Heart, Blood & Circulation
/ Atrial Fibrillation (AFib) Support Group

Blood thinners??

BertMcc
BertMcc
I just left my EP's office where he told me I am most likely in permanent AFIB. He doesn't think that I need an ablation as my heart rate never gets very high (rarely higher than the 90's). I do not have high BP, diabetes or any other risk factors besides my age (66). I am in generally very good health and exercise regularly. He did suggest that I consider a blood thinner in the near future. I am currently on an aspirin regime and am reluctant to go on blood thinners because of the possibility of bleeding. I often work with sharp tools and hike alone in the woods and mountains. I am more concerned about the bleeding than a stroke. Would appreciate other opinions. Thanks.
cahbrew
cahbrew
Yogacat...thank you! Yes, just pure luck I survived Xarelto. I did not know I never should have started. (Do Drs. have any way of determining or is it a crap shoot?) Presently, I cannot take any blood-thinners. Taking them would be more risky than not. I guess it becomes a game of statistics. Fortunately, my health in general has been quite good. More to this story of discovery but not getting into all the detail.. I am recovering from surgery and try to focus on day to day (moment to moment) to remain as calm as possible.
yogacat
yogacat
For me, my understanding is...it is a crap shoot.

Like everything, I think the older we are, the more the changes go up for either. We are Mortal Beings.

Every Day is a Blessing.....Today is the Best day of our life!!!
kasandra
kasandra
Thank you for explaining. I will ask about this too.

Hugs,
Sandy
Hwkmn
Hwkmn
Petey, yeah good point, tell that to those using aspirin. Orignal post was about that. "." Aspirin only cuts stroke risk (afib stroke) by 24%" Thats debateable.
SeanOpositive
SeanOpositive
In some circles, NOAC = non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants, e.g., apixaban (Eliquis), dabigatran (Pradaxa), and rivaroxaban (Xarelto).

VKA = vitamin K antagonist, e.g., warfarin (COUMADIN).

Aspirin, clopidogrel (Plavix) and Sangiovese are blood thinners.
sgmorr
sgmorr
Someone asked about long term atrial fib remodeling the heart and resulting in decreased ejection fraction.

It is my understanding that long term atrial fib is said to remodel the atria leading to a continuation of the atrial fib. What can lead to decreased function of the ventricles is long term rapid ventricular heart rates.

If one is in long term atrial fib, anticoagulation is used to reduce stroke risk, and rate control (typical with beta blockers and calcium channel blockers) is used to reduce the risk of getting a reduced ejection fraction due to a persistent rapid ventricular rate. Your atria still fibrillate, but your ventricular rate is kept lower than 100 or thereabouts.
pacyetep
pacyetep
Correct sgmorr.