After having an ablation for WPW i was told i also have a-fib , on beta blocker , should i be on blood thinner also ?

[CathyCrouse]

[TheStand]

Cathy,

Welcome to the forum.

I'm not familiar with the term WPW. But if you were diagnosed with AF then you probably should be on anticoagulants. The primary risk with AF is stroke and it is reported that AF patients have 5 times the risk of stroke. Stroke risk is determined by using the CHA2DS2-VASc test. here is a link to AFAs stroke risk calculator: preventaf-strokecrisis.org/...

If your score is >1 then you should consider anticoagulants, If >2 you should. Although some cardiologist will put you on them no matter what the score due to the risks.

I have quoted on here many times something that I was told a long time ago:

"You can always stop taking them later if you don't need them, BUT you CAN'T undo a stroke if you did!"

That helped me make my choice.

Again, Welcome and we look forward to hearing from you.

Tim

[Beancounter Volunteer]

Hi Cathy and welcome

WPW is Wolf Parkinson White syndrome (I think) and as I understand it (not being a medical professional) is very similar to AF in that it's a electrical signal problem within the heart, but this time usually due to the signals taking a different from usual pathway.

It usually causes tachycardia I think, but again like AF can be asymptomatic with sufferers often not knowing they have it until they get an episode

I suspect we need an EP on here to give a full answer but the ablation for WPW would be to try and move the electrical signals back to their correct pathway. (I assume)

Cathy, Tim has given you great advice, I suspect that if you have got as far as a WPW ablation you are already either under an EP or a really good Cardio who will understand much about A Fib, and if they thought there was any risk of clotting whatsoever they would put you on anti-coagulants.

But if it was not mentioned, then I might ring them and ask why not.

Welcome again, and let's trust that your ablation is fully successful for the WPW at least.

Ian

[TheStand in reply to Beancounter]

Thanks Ian... Yes I have heard of it but just didn't tie it together with the WPW.

Cathy, Although your Dr knows best, Most I have spoken to with both WPW and AF were told they should not use either beta or calcium channel blockers. But, Maybe that was just their Drs preference.

Anyway, I know I didn't state it above but just being female gives you a score of 1 so you would be in the consider it category.

Unless required for another heart problem (IE: valve, blockage or artery) do not accept "Take an aspirin a day" as an answer. So many studies have proven that aspirin has no effect on stroke preventing in AF patients.

Tim

[CathyCrouse]

I did have an EP study at the same time i got the ablation for Wolf Parkinson White Syndrome ( extra electrical pathways in the heart) . had good heart beats for about 2 weeks then went back to my cardiologist because heart rate started being 100 plus again , and that was when i was sitting down . Got an ecg to make sure wpw was still taking care of ( delta wave ) then told to take beta blocker , no mention of blood thinner . Family history of stroke .... Mother had massive stroke in 2010 , grandfather had stroke , great grandmother had a stroke also . Don't you think he should of at least mentioned blood thinners to me . I also have a slightly enlarged heart aorta that he said we would check again in a year (echo card) . So many questions , so few answers from my cardiologist .

[TheStand]

Cathy, I think we see that comment more than anything else here. "So many questions"

Honestly with your history, female, both WPW and AF and history of stroke I can not see why he wouldn't. Both the WPW and AF would present the same stroke risk due to pooling blood in the heart and clots. I would definitely ask and find out why he doesn't think you need them. And with our type (AF) of stroke do not allow him to tell you to just take an aspirin. There have been so many studies that have shown aspirin is no use in stroke prevention caused by AF.

Tim