Anticoagulant yet

[Chesterghost]

Just a quick one. I’m 40 my episodes of afib flutter are fairly brief . I have 1 or two episodes every 2 or three weeks . My specialist now seems to think I’m too young on the stroke risk to need anti coagulants yet on this thread I’ve already been told to insist on this and one or two horror stories . Should I be on these yet ? Or rely on the specialists advice ?

[Hidden]

The only advice we can give really is to suggest you do the CHADsVASC test and if you score 1 or more, have a meaningful conversation with your doctor. If strokes run in your family then that might influence your thinking but never forget the risk of bleeding caused by a whack on the head or something similar. Most folk would avoid them if they could, but it has to be your decision........

[CaroleF]

Whether you should be taking an anticoagulant depends on your CHADSVASc risk score. If you are male and 40 with NO comorbidities (eg high blood pressure, diabetes) then my view is that your specialist is right. You can check your own score eg here:

mdcalc.com/cha2ds2-vasc-sco...

It's all about balancing risks vs. benefits and I guess that, statistically, the risk of a bleed on anticoagulants is greater than the risk of an AF-related stroke for someone of your gender and age.

[Finvola]

No matter what condition we have, there will always be some patients who have had bad experiences and reactions. Whilst it is good to be aware of possibilities, we should be guided by our own physicians in making medical decisions regarding treatment.

If you do decide to consult with Dr Gupta, then his opinion regarding anticoagulation in your particular circumstances may help to firm up your decision.

[UScore]

I'm 41 and I don't take anti-coagulants.

Are you having an ablation? I had AF episodes only once every month or two, and they lasted just a few hours. I still had an ablation and I've had a well behaving heart for 8 months now. I'd recommend, if the cardiologist (EP) says you are a valid candidate for one.

[Chesterghost in reply to UScore]

May I ask if there was pain ? And how was the recovery ? Is it under a local anaesthetic or general ? I’m somewhat spooked as to the idea on the basis it’s ultimately and operation on the heart ! However a lot of people are pointing me in that direction .

[UScore in reply to Chesterghost]

I was sedated but conscious. Pretty nervous to begin with but they pump you full of drugs and it's fine. There were some moments of discomfort but no out and out pain.

And the 3 hours of recovery where I couldn't move were brilliant - the after effects of the diamorphine! I just lay in a blissed out bubble listening to music, and occasionally babbled complete nonsense at a nurse.

The recovery was easy too. I can see why people do too much too soon. I felt fine the next day, although I followed the general advice and stayed home for a week doing nothing much at all.

Not everyone has it as easy as I had it, by all accounts. But for me the pre-procedure nerves were much worse than the procedure and the recovery period.

And, touch wood, at the moment I live like I never had a heart problem in the first place. Albeit, perhaps a bit more healthily than before (although I was quite healthy beforehand too).

Like I said, I think I had it as good as it gets. That's why I recommend it, with the obvious caveat of don't blame me if your experience isn't as good!

[MikeyF in reply to UScore]

Where did you have your ablation and who by please?

[UScore in reply to MikeyF]

Bristol. I'll have to look up the name of the guy tomorrow, it wasn't who I was expecting. I'd been seeing an EP and then on the day got a totally different person for the ablation.