For life ?

[AstroFish]

Twice today so far (and it's only 9am) I have read accounts elsewhere of people being able to come off Apixaban as they're no longer experiencing symptoms. Fab news for them of course BUT I was told that being a woman of 65, even with only one recorded episode of AF (PAF I assume) that I would be on anticoagulants for life. I have accepted this and so far am perfectly settled on Apixaban.

But is this correct? If one doesn't have another episode ever ...is it right that you can stop if you've had an AF episode historically?

[BobD Volunteer]

Interesting question Astrofish.

If a person has a CHADSVASC score of zero and only goes onto anticoagulation for the purpose of having an ablation and recovery from such then it is possible for them to cease anticoagulation if the ablation is deemed successful,

If a person has AF a score other than zero most consider anticoagulation for life as ablation does not remove stroke risk. To put it another way it is not the AF that causes the stroke risk but the company it keeps.

For my part they would drag my anticoags from my dead hands!

[10gingercats in reply to BobD]

So far....I have a really quiet little Afib heart and with Apixaban that is the way it will stay.No risk for me.It is such a small price to pay for the pretty much guaranteed assurance you are safe from a stroke.

[secondtry in reply to 10gingercats]

Reliable stats on strokes seem as rare as hens teeth, but with that caveat I have read in the past that ACs only stop 60% of strokes, so if I was you I would supplement your Apixaban with other prudent lifestyle supporting measures. My take on all of this is if I was high risk (irrespective of AF) then I would take ACs but as I am low risk (incl the lifestyle measures I have taken) and my CHADS score is only 1 then I am postponing the pills.

[10gingercats in reply to secondtry]

Taking all the rec. meds. from doc et al plus magnesium etc. but thanks for your advice..... think I am doing MOST of the right things.

[secondtry in reply to 10gingercats]

👏👍

[Finvola]

It seems logical Astrofan but the fact that you are a woman over 65 gives you a CHADs score of at least 2 which means anticoagulation is advised - for life.

If you look at how the CHADs measurement is arrived at, you'll see that AF itself is not one of the factors taken into account but it measures the company which AF keeps, as Bob pointed out.

I've had no AF in nearly 7 years but with a CHADs score of 3, I'll continue with my Apixaban rather than risk a stroke. There are occasions when people can safely stop temporary anticoagulation - say some time after ablation when their CHADs score indicates that it is no longer necessary.

Anything else is like Russian roulette.

[heartmatters1]

I don’t know whether I am on the correct dosage of Apixaban (5mg twice a day) the same dosage as my husband, who is nearly twice as heavy as me. Someone from my GP surgery rang me recently to ask my weight, at the request of my GP. She said doctor may contact me if he felt it necessary. Never did 🤔. Seems they put everyone on the same dosage without taking weight into consideration.

[AstroFish in reply to heartmatters1]

I think for a woman if you weigh under 9sts 7lb you go on the lower dose. Perhaps they were just checking that?

[10gingercats in reply to AstroFish]

with regard to Apixaban,.....the doc. will usually reduce the dose from 5 to 2.5 when you are 80 and esp. if you are less than c 9 stone.

[Finvola in reply to AstroFish]

Normally for a reduced dose of Apixaban you need to satisfy two of three criteria regarding: age, weight and renal function.

[heartmatters1 in reply to AstroFish]

Well I do weigh less than that and the doctor never contacted me, so perhaps I should follow it up. Who knows, makes one wonder if they do 😳.

Best wishes

[Sewnknit]

My only thought regarding this is that you've had one, you've got 'previous' as they say.

Better to be safe than bolting the stable door etc.

Mind you, I'm dead jealous!

[Redmakesmehappy]

I am on Eliquis 2.5 twice daily, am 82 years old and weigh, on my heaviest day, 100 lbs. EP has never said anything about my dosage but I read on Eliquis website that it should Be a consideration when giving Eliquis to older folks. Does anyone ever take it only once a day? Or split the pill? I am a little concern. I also take Flecainide 50 mg twice daily as well. Been on both for about six months and have had only one episode of AFib since starting drugs. I am very tired all the time, very low blood pressure as well. Also take A Beta Blocker, atenolol with Flecainide. I was always very active, now, not so much. Seem to be a little short of breath if I do much and I am also so scared of having another episode, doesn’t help either. Any advice?