Advice please?

[Hedley54]

Good morning. AF picked up two months’ ago at annual BP check. Big surprise. Absolutely no symptoms. Fit and well. Reluctantly decided to follow advice and take Rivaroxaban. But strikes me as a v high daily dose: 20mg. Still exercise regularly - gym/walking/cycling and feel fine if a little exercise-lagged a few hours’ later. Paid to see a consultant specialising in the condition who said I was in generally good nick but suggested an echo-cardiagram ...”but no rush...”. Should I be concerned?

[Hidden]

There is only one dose of Rivaroxaban unless you have kidney failure, so don't worry about that.

You would have to ask your specialist as to if you should be concerned

[Hedley54 in reply to Hidden]

Many thanks for this

[BobD Volunteer]

Echocardiogram is to check to make sure there are no physical (rather than electrical) problems in your heart. Normal procedure. so be glad you are being properly looked after.

[Ianc2]

You don't mention your age. I have permanent AF, it lurks in my innermost depths of my internal gubbins and causes me very few problems as it quietly judders along.

But it might kick loose a clot, jam up and get into places it shouldn't be. Are on a anti coagulant?

[Hedley54 in reply to Ianc2]

Age: 74

[TG21]

The Rivaroxaban is prescribed to help prevent the risk of a stroke. There is a possibility of blood pooling when you are in AF and this can then cause a clot. 20mg is the usual dose unless you are taking other blood related drugs, then it can be reduced to 15mg.

Yes, you bleed a little more when you cut yourself.

I am now out of AF owing to a successful ablation but I am still on Rivaroxaban as AF can return.

I am very active. I do worry about crashing on my mountain bike but just ride a little more carefully. My consultant reckons being active is better for your heart and, in his words, just try not to fall off. Carry a field dressing with you, just in case.

Good luck.

[Desanthony]

Echocardiogram always a good idea. As far as I know it gives mor information on the heart. My NHS services have never done one for me so paid to have it done twice in the last 3 years. Just had one done 2 weeks ago and on holiday at the moment so am hoping to see the private Doc when I get back home to see what he has seen. I have had two successful cardioversions the first one lasted just short of a year and the second just had on 23 July. The first time around the NHS was very tardy in my home town. Thankfully moved and was whisked through the process at my new hospital. Thinking I would have had a long wait to see the cardiologist again I made the private appointments but turned out this time the NHS came up trumps and had the cv really quickly - probably 6 weeks taking into account the fact that I couldnt get in touch with the cardio nurses initially - had I known how quick they would get me in I would have rung every day until I actually talked to one of them rather than leave a message for them to get back to me. Also the new cardiologist has asked for an echo this time but had the private one already set up along with a really good consultation with the private EP. Glad I didn't cancel it as had thought to and save money but the consultation and resulting letter were worth every penny as it has helped me understand things so much better. I then findout that my cardiologist at the local hospital is in the same team as the EP I have consulted with privately so am hoping that I can now go on his list for an ablation. Like you I too exercise regularly but have to have a knee replacement operation at the end of this month and the severe pain from this has curbed my exercise over the last few months - realy shoudl have had the knee repacement 4 years ago but searching for a good surgeon and system to go through eventually going private. I have severe neck and back problems so need any skeletal work done to a high standard as otherwise would have sever probelms with back and neck - which is bad enough as it is, and the one size fits all NHS does not always work for me. Glad I can afford to go private to get the results that would suit me best.

Take care

Des

[Hedley54 in reply to Desanthony]

Thanks Des. Very helpful. Just been in a nice, lumpy bike ride for 2.5 hours and feel great

[Ianc2]

Respect.. Just watch out for the trees!

[john-boy-92]

I am asymptomatic with occasional brief atrial flutter and, paroxysmal atrial fibrillation triggered by vigorous exercise. I achieved my one million metre rowing machine tee shirt in May this year. I have to watch my heart rate on the rowing machine as it can hit 180+ bpm. As to taking an anticoagulant, I was assessed by two EPs at 68 years of age with one saying I had a 1% risk due to age, and the other that it was between 1% to 2% due to age and AF. I didn't take an anticoagulant as I am a slight bleed risk and, amiodarone and dronedarone brought me close to death. Eighteen months after seeing the EPs I had a stroke that has left me permanently partially sighted, so the DVLA revoked my clean licence of 50 years. If you're being advised to take an anticoagulant, there could be a big downside if you don't.