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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Panicker 08/26/2014

I am new here. Have had afib for about seven years my episodes have now become weekly/biweekly. I was getting away with a PIP beta blocker till this summer when my rates went up. I now take daily beta blockers. Have a chads score of zero, so just use daily aspirin plus other supplements to help with anti coag.

Anyway I am considering either Dr. Natale in Texas or Dr. Tchou at Cleveland clinic. If you have experience or thoughts about either Dr. I would appreciate your input.

opsyn 08/26/2014

You can't go wrong with either doctor. They are both stars.

Given your afib burden you should consider getting on an anticoagulant. The new guidelines use a CHA2DS2-VASc score and you get a 1 point for being a female. Aspirin has been shown not to be effective at afib stroke prevention.

My CHA2DS2-VASc score was 0 and Natale prescribed anticoagulant based on my afib burden as measured by 7 day holter.

Good luck,

opsyn

axiomtherapy 08/26/2014

There are plenty of great EPs around the country. Im sure there is one near you.

Panicker 08/26/2014

I thought with a score of 1 anticoag was not recommended. There are bleeding risks on one side stroke risks on the other. I guess I thought the scoring system was the guideline. Now I'm confused. Did Natale Rx that prior to an ablation or immediately after?

Thanks for your help

pacyetep 08/26/2014

If your score is 1 your dr should "consider" anticoagulants.

Panicker 08/26/2014

Interesting, so with no other risks drs. Should consider anti coag. for all females?

Paul60 08/26/2014

I had a Chads score of zero, was on aspirin, and had stroke. Just take your anticoagulant, you may not recover from a stroke. Preserve the brain.

opsyn 08/26/2014

Dr. Natale prescribed it prior to me deciding to have an an ablation

pacyetep 08/26/2014

Panicker:

Read the section on the bottom for CHA2DS2Vasc (not CHADS2):

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CHADS2_score

petey

CLane 08/27/2014

Petey: Regarding CHADS2, "Prior Stroke or TIA or Thromboembolism". I had a DVT (deep vein thrombosis) in my left leg alittle over 20 years ago. It never really occurred to me that maybe I should be counting a point for that as well as a point for being female. What are your thoughts?

Panicker 09/01/2014

Thanks everyone for you input. To clarify no one has prescribed an anti coag. for me. I do take natto, 800iu of vit E, 4000 mg. of fish oil and the eq. Of 10,000 mg of vit C plus my asprin.

If anyone has any other thoughts on these docs please post.

pacyetep 09/02/2014

Carrie: A clot counts 2 so you have a score of 3. I wouldn't mess around with it. petey

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