Paroxysmal AF

[Kbuck1234]

I have 2 questions for the forum - I have PAF -

1. How long do you need to be in AF for a blood clot to form? I take blood thinners but if my AF is reverting within 12 hours am I at risk of a blood clot developing at all?

2. Can PAF damage the heart? I know if you are in AF for a long period of time this could lead to heart failure but do short instances of AF say less than 12 hours give rise to any risk of heart damage in any way?

[Finvola]

To answer your first question, I think it has to be that no one knows for sure. However, our individual stroke risk is determined by our CHADS score and this risk is lowered by taking anticoagulants.

I have read a lot of comment on what causes strokes in AF patients and pooling of blood seems to be one possibility but some experts have dismissed this. Many think it is not AF itself but the company which AF keeps which causes a stroke.

Your second question is well tackled by Dr Sanjay Gupta in a video recently posted by Steve -

healthunlocked.com/afassoci.....

I found this informative and reassuring. I hope it helps.

[BobD Volunteer]

Having AF gives you a stroke risk. The frequency and duration are irrelevant.

[secondtry]

Re Q1: My cardiologist gave me anti-coagulants to use as a PIP (my request) and taking into account what he said and all I have learnt here and elsewhere, should I have another episode, I will start taking them if it lasts well over a day, say 30 hrs.

[Bambi65]

I have been told by many docs that the clot is formed after the afib stops, not during. Which makes sense since the heart beating is fast, once it slows down to SR, thats when it can form. But all this is just docs opinions.

[JTired in reply to Bambi65]

I think the clots form during afib when blood is pooling in the heart because of inefficient pumping, then when returned to NSR a clot can be released out into the body.

[Bambi65 in reply to JTired]

I believe you are correct!

[momist]

+1 for Sanjay Gupta's view on both clot risk and damage caused by AF. His video about the risk of stroke is especially good, as risk is often miss-understood by most people. Basically, the AF is more a side effect of what is wrong that also increases your risk of stroke, rather than causing the risk per se.

[seasider18]

My cardiologist said if not taking anticoagulants a clot can form at any moment.

[Kaz747]

In August last year I went in for an ablation and was asked to stop my anticoagulant (Rivaroxiban) 2 days before. I felt fine during those 2 days but the ablation was abandoned when they found a blood clot in my heart with the transesophageal echocardiogram. My EP said the clot could have formed in those 2 days. I have no other health issues, I was 54 at the time so low risk according to the CHADSVASC score.