Afib with no blood thinners

[Slattery]

I had my first Afib episode with dehydration coming out of anestheia . The new Chad score tells me I should be on blood thinners, but my IR Doctor put me on a beta blocker for 12 months, moving to a pill in the pocket . I am a femal, 67 , healthy life style, all heart test were normal.

[PeterWh]

Sorry to hear that. If in the uk you can insist on being on an Anticoagulant.

[BobD Volunteer]

Chads score 2 in that case as only age and gender score if you really do have no other risk factors. Anticoagulation advised. Why not discuss with your GP.

[Hidden in reply to BobD]

Bob, i am writing to you as you commented on Peters post, I Was diagnosed with P A F last year, chads score 2 because of age and gender, no other health problems, asthmatic but no problems with that, I have an episode around 3 to 4 months apart, back in n s r myself with no after effects, my problem is that my Gp is pushing me to take anticoag which I'm reluctant to do, l am on bisoprolol 1,25 which I tolerate really well, thing is I'm just over 5 ft and weigh 51kg, he advices apix a ban 5mg x 2 daily, I worry that it would be too much for my size even though I have normal kidney function, hope I'm allowed to ask you as it's somebody else's post, we have exchanged things in the past and have found your advice very helpful.

[dedeottie]

Hi. Sorry to muscle in. Although I am nowhere near as experienced as Bob I may be able to help. Obviously I have to say that I am not medically qualified though. I weigh 53 kg and was worried for the same reason as you so I have made enquiries of my E.P. and my G.P. who both say that as long as your kidney function remains with moderate to good function there wont be a problem. If kidney function is poor there will be too much apixaban in your system. For this reason you should have kidney and liver function tests regularly. I have been on apixaban a little over a year and have been called in for 2 blood tests in that time. Also, I havnt noticed any untoward bleeding and I bruise much less easily than when My INR was unstable on warfarin. When we get to 80 we may have our dose lowered as a matter of course according to the leaflet in the packet.

Apart from worrying about the dose I have been very happy with this medication.

I hope this has put your mind at rest but if you are worried it may be worth chatting to your GP or the pharmacist. X