Anti coagulant?

[Jadezmommy123]

I'm worried my doctor didn't prescribed me any anti coagulant and he told me that I don't need to take aspiring because of my age (27) but I'm freaking out I keep thinking I'm going to have a stroke any minute? What should I do ?

[overmars]

Its pretty simple .Let the Doctor have the worry .Leave it to him or her

[Hidden]

Ask your doctor 'Why', I think you will find they have a standard system ('CHADS') of confirming your risk of stroke is so low it doesn't warrant the risk of a bleed from anti-coags. I am 62 and am not on them. Relax!

[Beancounter Volunteer]

Hi Jadezmommy

The reason you are not on an anti-coagulant is that at 27 your stroke risk is very small indeed, and 5 times very small indeed is still very small indeed. And yes AF makes us 5 times more likely to have a stroke.

To give you some idea it's not usuallly measured until you are 55 or over when you stroke risk is around 3%, it increases with age of course. AF doesn't even start to add to that risk until around age 65 when it adds another 3% if not anti-coagulated, and assuming no other risk factors.

(If you really want the statistical info of why it adds 3% see the Framingham study, and a 2 page explanation of the maths behind the statistics)

Your risk of stroke at 27 (assuming not other conditions of course) is negligible, absolutely no need to freak out at all, and probably more importantly no need to take an anti-coagulant and expose yourself to an increased bleed risk.

Ask you doctor to talk you through it, I'm not medically qualified, I am sure that he/she will be able to explain it much better than I.

Then say to yourself Yep got AF life, is that all you got life...... I can handle that.... come on the next 60 or so years because I am gonna LIVE them....

Be well

Ian

[Therealsue in reply to Beancounter]

What a great reply, Ian. It really puts it all into perspective.

[Roseyuk]

I take Warfarin, also, and was taken off aspirin, as this also a blood thinner, no need to have two,

I have AF also, and Warfarin keeps you coagulated, IE helps prevent strokes when in AF, had it for about 10 years, I'm still fine,mouth warfarin

Do you also take a beta blocker jadez?

try not to stress.. Easier said than done, but you will feel ok when you have gotten used to taking it, and feel more secure that it is really taking care of youre fears

[BobD Volunteer]

Ian has covered most of it but just to add in there. aspirin has no place in stroke prevention for people with AF simply because it doesn't work like that. What should you do? Get on with your life and stop worrying or you could be so wrapped up in worry that you don't notice that truck about to knock you down. If AF is all that you get during your life you will be lucky as there are many worse things out there.

Yes you are very young for it and unless you have abused alcohol or been an endurance athlete or a military fast jet pilot (all things which can cause AF in young people) you are very unlucky but life goes on and you will get used to it.

Freak not!

Bob

[davythom]

Try not to worry you are very young and yes you have AF now but you have youth on your side. there are and will be many new treatments coming your way so enjoy your life. and look to a future with out AF

[PeterWh]

This is not meant to be blunt but a help. My father used to say "you are at where you are at" and "life's changed not ended" (he even said this when diagnosed with terminal bowel cancer and given less then 12 months to live although in the end he did survive for over 5 years. He also said that you can only move forwards based on where you are now and you should only look back as a help to moving forwards by learning and understanding. To me these are good messages for my AF journey which he knew nothing about. That doesn't mean things will be great all the time, it us inevitable there will be some not so good days and times.

[sueallen]

I didn't start anticoagulants until very recently & I am almost 70, your risk of stroke is very minimal, long term use of aspirin produces severe side affects, try & chill out ,perhaps try some relaxation therapy

[PeterWh in reply to sueallen]

If you have AF your chances of a stroke are 5 times higher. Also of all the serious strokes between 60% and 80% are had by AF sufferers. I have seen the effects of serious strokes on 4 people 1 in 40s, 1 in 50s as well as my grandfather who died from one.

[davythom in reply to PeterWh]

Hi peter can I ask where the statistics you mention about the 60% to 80% of serious stroke came from I would like to print it out and take it to my doctor.

[PeterWh in reply to davythom]

My PC packed up last week so I currently don't have access to a lot of the information that I have saved. I have looked at the stroke association website and there is a link to AF how can we do better. In that leaflet there is a statement that AF strokes are often more severe with higher mortality and greater disability. There is also information in various of the AFA's own leaflets. You could also talk to Vicky, patient services.

Another key thing is that if a patient has any form of valve disease (aka problems) then the CHADSVASC scoring does NOT apply and that they are considered at risk and should be offered anticoagulation.

I think that one of the sources was an American one.

[davythom in reply to PeterWh]

Thank you Peter I think I will ring the AFA and ask them.

[Gracey23 in reply to sueallen]

I'm conflicted about taking aspirin for AFib. I'm 65 and not on blood thinners because I'm under control on Flecanaide, 300 mgs daily. Have there been studies about aspirin and A Fib?

[PeterWh in reply to Gracey23]

Just because you are on flecainide and under control does not mean that you have normal risk of a stroke. Look at AFA booklets and stroke association and care England.

[Gracey23 in reply to PeterWh]

Thank you for your advice, it's so confusing because every cardiologist has a different opinion.

[PeterWh in reply to Gracey23]

Yes many do. Some keep fully abreast with the times and are innovative and analytical. Others are not. That is the case in all walks of life.

[CDreamer]

Dear Jadezmommy

Yes 27 is very young to have something like AF, but there are a lot of people your age and younger with AF who live active and full lives, it is not a death sentence. AF is scary and doctors will always tell you the risks - to me this adds to your worry - US (I guess you are in the US from your name) is much more litigious than Europe so doctors don't want to get sued but overmans has a point - give it back to the doctor!

Anxiety and worry is a BIG problem with AF, tends to go with the territory - actually I think it a much bigger problem than stroke because it stops us from living and when you stop living you start dying, meta-physically if not immediately physically. Find ways of coping with your anxiety - CBT, therapy, meditation, yoga, relaxation, exercise, listening to music, doing art or craft - ANYTHING that gives you pleasure is the way to go - endorphins counteract cortisone - the stress hormone which has an adverse affect on your body and especially your heart.

You are young, you are a Mom and so much to live for so take some response-ability for your own well being. Learn as much as you can about AF, diet, exercise, stress reduction etc as well as drugs and treatments.

Eat clean - i.e. no junk food, watch the alcohol intake, keep active and get good advice from your doctor, this will also impact on your stroke risk profile.

very best wishes CD

FYI Bob - and others - look on the AFA-US website and aspirin is recommended for stroke prevention short term in those not requiring anti-coagulants. My understanding, like yours, was that aspirin has no place for AF'ers but it appears that there is some difference between the advice between US & UK AFA sites? Perhaps you could find out for us as this is the 2nd or 3rd person from US with this query?

[CDreamer]

PS - I am 64 and not on anti-coagulants as my current risk profile is 1 for being female. Score 0/1 and anti-coagulants are not always recommended. If your score is 2 or above then there is a case for reducing your risk by taking AGs but these are just herd statistics - no-one can predict what will happen to you or me.

In a few months time I will 65 - the age when in the UK I would be advised to reconsider taking AGs - before I decide I will review the data - talk to my doctors and come to a decision as to what I will do.

The biggest risk with taking daily aspirin long term is a bleed in the stomach/digestive tract so ensure you take the coated variety and or dispersable aspirin and always with food so it doesn't irritate the lining of the stomach.

[PeterWh in reply to CDreamer]

It is not magical that it is on the day of 65 and not a day sooner. Just an arbitrary date. Also depends on severity of AF, length, etc, etc. Also see stroke association publications. For the benefit of others rather than you don't forget that other heart / blood conditions contribute even if they are under control using medicines, etc (ie their score does not return to zero).

[CDreamer in reply to PeterWh]

Thanks, I have thoroughly researched the info. I know the date is arbitrary but it is still a process to decide whether or not to take anticoagulant without other risk factors. If I had AF I wouldn't hesitate, the question is whether or not to take without AF?

I currently have no AF that I know of after successful 2nd ablation and am other meds for autoimmune disease which mean I cannot take antiarrythmic drugs nor beta blockers.

Current western medicine calculates risk on population statistics which doesn't really help me decide as there is no calculator for individual risk......yet. So I rely on the judgement of my EP and my own research and assessment.

I find it very difficult, as do many other people on this site as it is not a black and white scenario for many of us.

[Kodaska]

I'm 66 and have two ablations under my belt ... or rather, chest. Based on age and overall condition, my risk of stroke is supposed to be something like 2.2%. My cardio/EP says I should take (2) Eliquis (rivaroxiban) daily to reduce the risk to 0.8%. Pfft! My insurance (I'm in the US) will charge $50/month for it starting in January. Is it worth it?

I have the heart of a 40-year-old athlete (as determined by a stress test). I've been in NSR since the 2nd ablation last May and there isn't a speck of clogging in my heart or any of the vessels around it. I wonder what my real risk is. Frankly, I don't much care. Medicine by statistics is a pretty poor way to treat an individual, but that's what we're dealing with. I'll take the stats into account when making my own medical decisions. I have an autoimmune disorder that has taken almost all my old activities away because the cardio ignored my objections to taking flecainide. My regular doc has given me bad advice and even contradicted established medical fact ("you don't get diarrhea from giardia").

Be informed, be confident, and be your own doctor.

[PeterWh in reply to Kodaska]

If it is like my grandfather who had a large stroke in 1977, went unconscious and never recovered consciousness before dying a few days later at 78 then that is not too bad. However a family friend had a large stroke at around 67 or 68 and was paralysed from the neck down and could not speak but his brain was 100%. He lived like that for some years and years (I think around 15 to 20 years) and it was absolute torture for him. In time he was able to some grunts and moans. He was lucky in that he had two sisters who cared for him and he lived with them. With what I know now I certainly believe it was an AF related stroke.

[Kodaska in reply to PeterWh]

It would be great if we could predict. My mother had a massive stroke at age 70 that paralyzed the entire left side of her body. The doctors said she'd never walk, play cards, or knit again. They didn't know my mother. In a year she was walking with a cane, playing cards, and knitting (though a bit slowly). But she never did recover the critical, sarcastic side of her personality. Too bad she lived only another three years (death brought on by mismanagement of her meds).

[cherylbyrd]

You may be young, but Afib is still associated with significant risk of stroke and it only seems to become worse with time. I would get a second opinion from a cardiologist. Aspirin and other methods of self medication - including COQ10 and Magnesium to support heart health - may not really do the trick. Only heart monitoring for a two week period will tell you the extent of your risk, but remember that a stroke is life changing - even if detected and treated quickly.

[dmac4646]

This

questionnaire l reassure you and provide you with good information.

anticoagulation-dst.co.uk/p...

[Jadezmommy123]

Thanks for all the reply there definitely seems to be a lot of point of views with anticoagulants. I will definitely bring it up to my doctor next week during my appointment and try to get my head off of it till then. Well wishes to all!