1 Episode of PAF at 46.

[Joncloyd31]

I am an otherwise healthy male who had one episode of PAF after getting drunk one night. It lasted about 8 hours and I was given Cardizem to reduce heart rate, but nothing else. I converted to NSR without anything else. My real bad habit is smoking which I am struggling to quit. I was on Tambocot but quit that. Should I still take Eliquis since I have had no other episodes?

[Hidden]

Hi Jon,

Your decision on continuing Apixaban is between you and your cardiologist.

The CHADS2VASC2 and HAS-BLED scoring systems are guides used to help inform the decision. The position on anticoagulants (ACs) and AF may be changing, so that one episode of AF may justify lifelong ACs whatever your age and irrespective of your CHADS2VASC2 score, in order to reduce stroke risk.

If you would like other advice on managing this lifelong condition, more context would help. Things like your BMI (weight related to height), stress levels, usual alcohol consumption, sleep pattern, diet, approach to exercise, caffeine intake etc. Many here believe that lifestyle changes are as important in coping with AF as medication and ablation. There are some useful information sheets on the AFA site.

[BobD Volunteer]

If you have changed your life to avoid future similar occasions then anticoagulation may be over kill but we are not medically trained here so you MUST discuss this with your doctors. If you are not over weight, (BMI 25 or lower) and have no other heart conditions or comorbidities such as diabetes and no prior history of stroke then your CHADSVASC score may be such that anticoagulation is not needed but please do discuss this with your cardiologist .

[rosyG]

Our clinic nurse told me her brother ( who is a doctor) put her into the cold swimming pool while they were on holiday after she had a one off episode of AF many years ago- after getting drunk!! It worked too and she returned to NSR.I would bin the alcohol as you are obviously sensitive to it!! good Luck

[Tocqui3ny]

Yes, definitely. Alcohol brings PAF on me. I had a stroke,

[Madscientist16]

I have had only my initial episode of AF and converted with diltiazem (Cardizem) which I still take for heart rate control. I also take 81 mg aspirin. My CHADVASC score is 1 and I am a 52 year old female. I wanted to stop the diltiazem since I have not had anymore episodes but my EP insisted that I protect myself with an anti-coagulant if I was going to go off the other meds. He said since they do not know why I developed AF except for a heredity factor, why take the chance. There is no way to know when another episode will occur, especially as I get older. After drug cost considerations I am staying on rate control for now.

[Ianc2]

quitnow.gov.au tar information sheet on the development of tar deposits in the lungs, caused by smoking that leads directly to lung cancer. An isolated case of PAF probably won't kill you...