Can blood thinners increase AF occurances?

[Colutd]

I have paroxysmal AF and I had an occurance last Monday and was taken to hospital where they got me back in rhythm through a 150mg flecanide drip and an overnight stay.

The specialist there suggested I go onto blood thinners as I am approaching 65 anyway and I was going to ask to then anyway.

so I started on Apixaban last Weds and since then I have had 5 more AF attacks, my pip of 100mg has got me out of 4 of them but I had to go hospital for one of them.

I am struggling to get back to Leics from Essex as I keep going into AF but I need to so I can consult Glenfield hospital where I am normally treated.

I was wondering if the blood thinners might be causing all these attacks as this is the only thing that’s changed apart from the time from when I had an ablation in 2016 and maybe I’m due another one?

Anybody heard or experienced more frequent attacks after going into bloods thinners please?

[BobD Volunteer]

Anticoagulants have no known history of promoting AF. On the other hand AF begets AF so the more you have the more you will get. AF is almost always a progressive condition as you must have been told.

[Paulbounce]

Hi Colutd.

I am not a medic and am unable to provide medical advice or make a diagnosis. However, I can provide some general information which may help.

Apixaban is used to prevent blood clots, which can lead to stroke in patients with afib and does not typically cause more frequent episodes of afib. In fact, it is often prescribed to help reduce the risk of afib-related complications.

It is possible that your recent afib episodes may be related to other factors, such as stress or other underlying medical conditions.

In summary, while anticoagulants are not likely to cause more frequent episodes of afib it is important to discuss any changes in your symptoms or medication regimen with your Doctor to determine the underlying cause and appropriate treatment. Personally, I doubt your increase in afib attacks are caused by Apixaban and maybe it's worth you looking into having another ablation.

Paul

[jeanjeannie50]

In all the years that I've been on this forum I have never heard of anyone saying that they thought their anticoagulants made their AF worse. Saying that, we can all have sensitivities to certain things and it's definitely odd that your PAF attacks have increased so drastically since starting Apixaban. Or it could be that because rogue beats have broken through the scar tissue made by your ablation, they're going to keep on doing that.

Yes, get back to Glenfield hospital as soon as you can and see what the experts there have to say.

Do your attacks make you feel dreadful?

Jean

[wilsond]

Short answer,absolutely not and they are your best friend against the known higher risk factor of stroke.

[Hidden]

I have not heard of this occurring and in the 12 years or so on this forum I cannot recall anyone making this claim. I rather suspect it is just AF having its wicked way and simply evolving.

[secondtry]

Mmmm..all drugs have side effects, so I guess there is a small possibility.

[southkorea]

No. i do not think blood thinners are causing the problem. Its probably stress.

[Tapanac]

never heard of that. They are more a saviour from strokes rather than promoting afib maybe your anxiety of getting back home

I hope you feel better soon

[Colutd]

thanks for your replies. Really appreciated.

I tend to agree, it’s probably stress and anxiety of not being able to get home. Got to try again today, running out of meds, only brought enough for a mini visit here.

[BlueINR]

I truly doubt it! Anticoagulants are necessary to prevent a stroke, something you don't want to have! As Bob said, afib begets afib. Take the anticoagulant.

[RoyMacDonald]

No difference for me except I feel reasured to have less of a stroke risk so stay calmer which reduces my AF probably. Certainly don't want another stroke.

All the best.

Roy

[Snowgirl65]

I'm not medically trained, but I doubt if bloodthinners (anticoagulants) caused your episodes. I've found that once I have one "biggie" one, then more will follow -- it's the a-fib begets a-fib thing. It happened to me last October, suddenly one episode after another. I had an ablation in December and my EP said a vein grew over its scar tissue from the previous ablation -- he said it was obvious to see. Best wishes to you.