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.

760 Members
3,682 Posts
0 Online
Heart, Blood & Circulation
/ Atrial Fibrillation (AFib) Support Group

Nsaids (like Motrin) can cause a fib?

heart2222
heart2222
Does anyone have experience with taking NSAIDS and then getting a fib? Seems like we can't do anything anymore!!
yogacat
yogacat
Hi Heart, I was allowed to take 3 a week couple of yrs. ago when my back was so painful. Dr. said he did not like me taking any because it would thin my blood way too much since I take Pradaxa. I took them and did Not have any episodes. Just 3 did not help my back either.....ice did.
heart2222
heart2222
You are absolutely right, Carol. I wasn't allowed to take Motrin either with Pradaxa, risky. However they gave me high doses of Pradaxa due to the chest pain after the ablation. So, don't be surprised if they do that. I guess short term is ok.

I was not aware until recently that the NSAIDS can cause a fib though. That's scary.
Paul60
Paul60
Here's a study showing NSAID use associated with high incidence of AFIB:

http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/746299_1
heart2222
heart2222
Yikes!! I didnt' go thru the sign up process yet Paul. But if there are studies, that means this really is an issue.

The things we can eat or drink keep getting smaller and smaller...
Paul60
Paul60
Sorry, I didn't realize it was a sign in site. Here are the study conclusions:

Conclusions Use of non-aspirin NSAIDs was associated with an increased risk of atrial fibrillation or flutter. Compared with non-users, the association was strongest for new users, with a 40-70% increase in relative risk (lowest for non-selective NSAIDs and highest for COX 2 inhibitors). Our study thus adds evidence that atrial fibrillation or flutter needs to be added to the cardiovascular risks to be considered when prescribing NSAIDs.