43 days

[6TIMES]

Good morning to you all, my question is this,

Yesterday at gp appointment i said that after 6 weeks of taking apixaban and waiting to go for a cardiologist appointment i have not had a confirmed diagnosis that I am suffering from AFIB, I was told that yes you definitely have AF and since the ecg on the 22nd of may you have had the irregular heatbeat and will be getting cardioversion, my last ecg was 2 years ago and it was fine so therefore i could have had AF any time In the last 2 years but I have never had any symptoms at all,

So why do the cardioversion and not just leave things as they are, I'm looking forward to having it if it means I can get off the apixaban because of the side effects, i asked about an alternative but was told to stick with them,

Hopefully this question makes sense but i feel like my life has been turned upside down since the 22nd of may,

Thanks

[wilsond]

I have read on here that some people with AF do not have any recognisable symptoms and are often the ones at most risk as they are not protected against stroke risk. I wonder if you might be able to contact your cardiologist through their secretary and ask your question directly?

Best wishes

[CDreamer]

Many people are asymptomatic but that doesn’t mean they don’t have AF. The cardioversion will be to see if you can convert to NSR, in which case you will have options. The anticoagulants are to lessen the risk of having an AF induced stroke - not something you want - and is the first line prophylactic treatment.

Even if you convert to NSR, depending upon your risk factors, you may still be advised to continue to take the anticoagulants.

You may find this informative

heartrhythmalliance.org/afa...

[jedimasterlincoln]

My dad has AF. He's had AF for years. He hadn't had any indication or symptoms at all. It was picked up on a routine ECG prior to routine skin tag removal. He's on warfarin for life now.

[BobD Volunteer]

If you are asymptomatic then you are still at risk of stroke and should be anticoagulated. That you have survived stroke less so far is great but when you think about it, also means how lucky you have been . It is those people who were not aware of their AF till their stroke who are sadly the most affected if they survive which is why we are so keen on screening to find all people with AF.

If you have the cardioversion (DCCV) and feel no different then the only other treatment is likely to be beta blocker drug to control your rate at a sensible level but if you can be put into normal synus rhythm, (NSR) and feel better then other treatment may be considered. Either way anticoagulation to help prevent stroke is vital for life if your CHADS2Vasc2 risk assessment says so. This is baswd on age. gender and a number of other co morbidities such as previous heart condition, diabetes etc. You can google Chadsvasc and do your own risk assessment but it sounds like your doctor has already judged you to be at risk.

[6TIMES in reply to BobD]

THANKS for that.I got risk rated 1 so taking the apixaban I've never heard of asymptomatic.I'm just hoping that i have the cardioversion and take the apixaban for a while then can stop.

As far as I know af is incurable and it's the medication for prevention you take but I'll have to wait and see.my gp said don't worry about it.

[BobD Volunteer]

Asymptomatic merely means that your are not aware you have it. Most people are only too aware as it leaves them exhausted and often unable to function. The asymptomatic ones are lucky provided they are stroke protected with anticoagulation.

[6TIMES in reply to BobD]

Thanks

[Hidden]

Hi 6TIMES, just for clarification it would help if you could clarify the side effects you associate with taking Apixaban. Many are concerned about the increased risk of bleeding either from an accident or from internal trauma but with some rare exceptions, we rarely hear of any side effects from Apixaban which impact on quality of life. The same is not true regarding AF medication such as betablockers which are frequently prescribed on diagnosis. As others have said, the cardioversion is important in helping assess the value and benefits of ongoing treatments which is important because of the progressive nature of AF. Most of us consider anticoagulants as our best friend because we value anything that minimises the risk of having a devastating, life changing stroke.

[6TIMES in reply to Hidden]

The side effects that i get are upset stomach and i feel nauseaus like feeling sea sick, getting a call at 9am today about maybe having to have a colonoscopy, more good news, I'll just get on with it, I've decided to embrace this AF and try and get as fit as I can and fight it any way i can, mine seems to be minor to what I've read from other people,

Thanks