Hello, Just a Question . Since 2011 afib. My medicine is Eliquis 2.5 twice a day.
What kind of vitamines or supplements can I take on a daily basis?and What kind of activities, running, etc.?
I am 71 years old.
Thank you.
Mrs. Elisa Vriezelaar
The Netherlands
Best to check with your pharmacist really as we are not medically trained. Many people take supplements like magnesium and Co Q10 . What did you want to take?
Thank you for Your Reply. Magnesium and Vitimine C is the best for me and not harmful.
We suggest that you check with your pharmacist that it is safe for you to take these supplements. Bob was saying many people do take them, but they may not be suitable. Your pharmacist should be advised exactly what medications you already take, and if you have any other conditions besides AF.
Rachel - AF Association - Patient Services
Without knowing the condition of your heart, it’s impossible to tell you how much excercise is safe for you. Until you ask your doctor about it, the safest excercise is just walking at a normal pace for 30 minutes at least 5 times per week. Running is not recommended for people over 70, because there is too much risk for injuries, besides you are taking an anticoagulant medicine and an injury can cause severe bleeding or a large hematoma. Regarding vitamins or other supplements, vitamin D3 is the most common deficiency and needs to be replaced. I take 5,000 units daily. Fish oil and Coenzyme Q-10 are important, I would not take Potassium or Magnesium supplements unless there is a deficiency in your blood tests. Too much of these wonderful minerals can be dangerous. If you eat a normal diet, I wouldn’t spend money in minerals or vitamins that I not need.
High potassium is dangerous, and so potassium supplements are not easily available in the UK, except on prescription. A lot of people eat a banana a day because they are high in potassium, and Baked potato should be good too.
Magnesium is another matter. Many people are low in magnesium, especially those with AF. Unfortunately blood tests only show how much magnesium there is in the bloodstream, but the body always works to ensure this level stays more or less constant, by taking it out of storage, so if a blood test shows low magnesium then you are seriously low. It is difficult to increase our body's store of magnesium, and it can take six months or more. Search on here (using the box in the top right hand corner of the screen) for more details - this is often discussed. Using it may help with other health problems too. For me, it improved my sleep patterns considerably.
I would be wary of taking much fish oil, vitamin E, garlic or anything else which affects the readiness of the blood to clot. Also ginsengs and licorice affect the heartbeat and so seem better avoided. A good general multi-vitamin-and-mineral from a health shop for three months each year (eg in the winter) will go along way to replenish our vitamin and mineral stores, which will be gradually used up by all the medication which our bodies have to process, and which may not be fully restored through our diets.
curious about your dosage of Eliquis. I chose to just be on 2.5mgs bid but generally that is only for people my age (80) who are much lower weight and have other health problems.
Magnesium as a supplement
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Supplementing with K2
Nutritional Supplements
