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

flu shots

ficus7
ficus7
It's flu shot season (my first since being diagnosed with afib), and I'm wondering if anyone knows if it is safe to have a flu shot when you are on anti-coagulants. (I'm on Eliquis.)

Note: As a relative newbie, I'm sorry I don't have much to contribute in the knowledge department, and I want to thank all you regular posters who provide such helpful information -- as well as those of you who share your experiences. I visit this site every single morning -- it is such a treasure.

Thanks,

Susan
queenjuju
queenjuju
I take Pradaxa and my doctor said that I need the flu shot every year. When you get sick it can cause more stress as your body heals and can cause more chance of AFib. My Arrhythmia is much worse when I am sick.

Judy
pacyetep
pacyetep
Same here. I take Pradaxa. was told to get the shot every year.

petey
axiomtherapy
axiomtherapy
no more flu shots for me. I went into afib 12 hours after my last flu shot.
Paul60
Paul60
I get a flu shot every year. Beginning in 1973 I worked in a long term care facility, so flu shots were mandatory for the 26 years I worked there. I figured I had better not stop, so I continued shot for the next 20 years. The shots never bothered me. One year I got the flu anyway, my AFIB was so bad with the flu, couldn't make it up the stairs to the bedroom, I had to sleep in the lazy boy that night.
ficus7
ficus7
Thanks all for the timely responses! I'll get a flu shot this year -- of course, if I go into afib right after, I might rethink next year's shot. :)

Susan
yogacat
yogacat
May your flu shot be effective against the Flu...and know you will stay in NSR!

This will be my 4th yr. on Pradaxa, and my 4th Flu Shot....no flu and no afib after the inoculation.
daisy0808
daisy0808
Flu shots have given me afib in the past but I don't think it is the flu shot itself but the effect it has on your immune system that kicks it off. I will not be getting one this year. Everyone is different.
bergeram
bergeram
No flu shots for me. AF the next day and the evening of my last flu shot 9/11/12, I experienced extreme pain putting weight on my left leg on rising from a sitting position. Felt better once I began walking . I don't know if there was a connection. I've had both hips replaced with no problem until that time. I'm still dealing with somewhat limited mobility but it's not interfering with my volunteer ushering 3-4x/Week.

Annette