Help!

[AnnieOx]

I have suffered with tachycardia since I was 16 (now 55) and had many heart tests - all of which came up with nothing! Aged 50 I had a stroke and more tests which showed that I have a PFO - which they said was the reason for my stroke. I was put on a 75ml aspirin and dipyridamole - which I have been on for 5 years. This year I had a heart monitor fitted inside my chest and they now know that when I have a tachycardia - I have AF beats as well. They want to change my present drugs to either Warferin or rivaroxaban. I've been attempting to do some research but can't understand the medical jargon or can't find any unbiased views in layman' language. Can any of you help me with this please?

Thankyou in anticipation.

[Hidden]

I have used both those anticoagulants without any problem. Good luck!

[AnnieOx in reply to Hidden]

Thanks.

[BobD Volunteer]

Hello Annie. I will try to explain in lay terms since I am not medically trained myself.

Aspirin is an antiplatelet i e is stops the cells from sticking together but it is NOT an anticoagulant.

Anticoagulants slow the clotting process so that it takes longer for clots to form. Without getting technical, warfarin works in one way and the so called NOAC;s such as rivaroxaban work in another but both serve to reduce the chance of clots forming within the body.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is an electrical problem within the heart which makes the left atrium pulse chaotically rather than contract in a regular manner. It can affect the left ventricle so that heart beat become irregular. Because the blood is not moving smoothly through the heart thanks to the chaotic atrium it is possible for blood to pool and clots to form. This makes patient with AF five times more likely to have a stroke, hence the need for anti-coagulation.

All this and much much more is explained in the fact sheets available from AF Association website.

NICE guidelines 2014 removed aspirin from the treatment of AF. To put it crudely it is about as useful as a chocolate fire-guard in preventing strokes for patients with AF.

Those are the basic facts but do read more as suggested.

Bob

[AnnieOx in reply to BobD]

Thanks for your help, Bob.

[Hidden]

Dear annieOx, I was taking an antiplatelet (Clopidogrel) until recently .... suffered from periods of fast A/F for almost 2 years . These antiplatelets are not really suitable for A/F.... I was told in quite stern language the risk factors of A/F.

I was offered the choice of either Rivaroxiban or Warferin. I elected to take Rivaroxiban -due the fact- I do not have to continually have follow up tests for this.

Warferin -I would have to keep having the levels checked.

I am informed that the two are equally as potent.

hope this helps?

[AnnieOx in reply to Hidden]

Thanks for your help.