As needed anticoagulants for intermittent Afib

[Slattery]

I would like to know your opinion on as needed anticoagulants for intermittent Afib. There are studies in progress now on this subject, No conclusion yet.

[BobD Volunteer]

In my view a bit like playing Russian Roulette . How do you know you have AF if it comes on when asleep? Many people are asymptomatic. No No all to risky.

[jeanjeannie50 in reply to BobD]

I agree with Bob. Having worked in a nursing home and seen just how a stroke can leave someone. Honestly, I'd rather die than be left unable to speak, move or even eat, fed by a tube in my stomach, wearing incontinence pads and looking out into a world I couldn't understand!

Hate taking anticoagulants though!

Jean

[Oldiemoldy in reply to jeanjeannie50]

I’m lucky - no noticeable side effects from xarelto. Having seen my favorite aunt’s non recovery from a bad stroke, I just can’t risk not taking the anticoagulant

[Hidden]

I agree with BobD. I take my anticoagulant daily. It would kind of b like taking birth control only when one has sex, bad idea ( unless you have sex daily🤣). Sorry, couldnt stop myself... hope no one is offended.😉

[jeanjeannie50 in reply to Hidden]

Hoski, you make me laugh. Thank you. x

[Hidden in reply to jeanjeannie50]

😇

[jedimasterlincoln in reply to Hidden]

Can't I just do it standing up?

[Hidden in reply to jedimasterlincoln]

Of course you can....

[Finvola in reply to jedimasterlincoln]

And the lady should jump up and down afterward . .

[Hidden in reply to Finvola]

🤣🤣🤣

[jedimasterlincoln in reply to Finvola]

I thought that was during......

[Hidden in reply to jedimasterlincoln]

🌝

[Dawsonmackay]

How intermittent are you? If you’re once a week for two minutes, that’s ok. Anything more than that and you should be on an anticoagulant.

[Slattery in reply to Dawsonmackay]

I am having an Ablation next month. I read an article on the research being done on this subject. I wanted to hear what people with Afib think of this idea. I am on anticoagulants now but was hoping I would not have to take it if The Ablation was successful. I hate taking medication.

[Oldiemoldy in reply to Slattery]

I think the EP’s advice will be you can leave the rhythm control drugs behind - but not the anticoagulant.

[Thomas45]

I went from symptomatic intermittent episodes of AF to Permanent asymptomatic AF. I have no idea when that happened as the symptomatic episodes were few and far between, one or two a year. Fortunately I was taking and still am taking an anticoagulant. The change could have happened at any time within the year between consultant's appointments without me knowing when. So the answer from my experience is always be anticoagulated.

[Hidden in reply to Thomas45]

That’s interesting. I have PAF and it’s been a year since my last episode. I recently got the apple watch that detects irregular heart beat so hoping it will alert me if that happens.

Ive always wondered if having asymptomatic permanent a fib would be less stressful.

[Thomas45 in reply to Hidden]

It probably is less stressful. In my case it's coupled with a high end, or just over, pulse rate, which is normally in the range of 78 to 107, but can go higher when I move around. One well-meaning hospital doctor, when I was in hospital after having had my appendix removed asked me why I wasn't taking a beta-blocker. I basically replied that no doctor or consultant had thought it necessary. Unfortunately he did and prescribed Bisoprolol. Within 7 weeks I had the first itchy rash- a very rare side effect. Between 1 and 9 people in every 10,000 who take the drug get that side effect. Why me I asked. Bisoprolol was stopped, but urticaria continues, and now intolerance of some of my favourite foods, such as tomatoes, grapes, oranges, bananas, and rustic brown bread. I can't even eat one grape without coming out in a painful rash . The high pulse rate pales into insignificance.

[Horse57 in reply to Thomas45]

Wow! That's terrible! You just never know...That is a great loss indeed for you.

[secondtry]

I put this to my cardiologist last month and he wasn't too keen. However I did get a prescription out of him on the understanding that if it gets anything more than a very rare short episode I go on them permanently. I am 65 and no PAF for 5 years.

[EngMac]

This is on of the most asked and answered questions on this site and probably the best answer is still not known. So many health factors for each individual impact the effectiveness of DOAC's. Some studies say the benefit is 1% reduced stroke risk with an elevated risk of bleeding and each DOAC is different. And some can negatively affect kidney's and probably other body parts. Most drugs have a list of possibilities. So the Russian roulette analogy by Bob is a good analogy but it may not only apply to stroke risk.

[LouiseCanada]

A study is being conducted in the US right now. Participants must be individuals who have not had an afib episode in at least 6 months either because of an ablation or because of life style changes or drug therapy. They are fitted with an Apple watch that must be worn at all times. Half will be on an anticoagulant while the other half will just wear the watch. If they do get an episode of afib then the person must start the anticoagulant and continue to use it for 1 month. Participants do not get to decide which group they will be assigned to. No conclusions will be available for 5 years. This study was looking for participants and I got a notice from a group called stopafib.org. I applied to be part of the group but they are in the US and I am not so I do not think that I will be considered.

[CDreamer in reply to LouiseCanada]

Not sure it is possible to wear an Apple Watch ‘at all times’. When would you charge it?

[Horse57 in reply to CDreamer]

My thoughts exactly!

[Jjda in reply to LouiseCanada]

LouiseCanada, do you remember the name of the study or where it was being done? Thanks

[Cutie1]

I love this idea as as I don’t like the idea of taking a warfarin type medication when I only have occasional episodes once a month December Jan Feb March none so far none April May . I wear the watch so it’s monitored all day .

[Thomas45 in reply to Cutie1]

But the watch will not reduce your chance of having a stroke. That's why I take an anticoagulant.

[sleeksheep in reply to Thomas45]

If your stressing about your AFIB I cant see wearing a watch would relieve any stress as you would be so aware of it and personally just from my point I hate wearing a watch.

[Cutie1 in reply to sleeksheep]

Stress can be the cause of many illnesses . The reason for the watch is it monitors sleep physical activity pulse heart rate rhythm and ECG that can be shown to the cardiologist.

[Finvola]

Our risk of stroke is determined by our individual CHADSVASC score which doesn’t change when we do/don’t have an AF episode. Many EP’s advise patients to stay on anticoagulants even after seemingly successful ablations.

Widespread research suggests that AF itself doesn’t cause strokes but the company which AF keeps, does.

[plopper]

Ask me, I've already had a stroke.

[Hidden in reply to plopper]

Thankyou for sharing that. Stroke is my biggest fear and is why Ive finally resolved to take my anticoagulant with a better attitude about it💜.

[CDreamer in reply to plopper]

So were you taking or not taking an anticoagulant and how often were your episodes of AF?

What do you think?

All I know is that I had a very minor TIA and at the time my first thought was - where are the anticoagulants as I had persuaded my EP to come off the anticoagulants because I had been a year clear of episodes after ablation. Never, ever questioned it since - I’m in for life now!

[plopper in reply to CDreamer]

I didn't know I had afib when I had the stroke. Wasn't on any meds for anything. I am asymptomatic, can't even feel it when my heart rate is 200. I will take my Eliquis religiously. I never want to go through that again.