To start blood thinners or not? Response.

[smoothiepete]

Many thanks for all your responses: it is so helpful to learn from others’ real life experiences and I value the advice.

Apologies for referring to blood thinners when I should have used the term anticoagulants.

Having already reduced my alcohol consumption I cut it out completely 9 weeks ago. Only one episode of AFIB since then (unexplained) but HR only c.100 bpm and resolved in about half an hour following 10 minutes on cycle trainer (at 3:00 am!)

Although my CHADSVASC score is 1 (by reason of age) I’m persuaded by your responses that I should accept the recommendation to take an anticoagulant but try to minimise the risk of injury during my sporting activities. I will probably delay starting until I return from my 6 week Alpine skiing trip which commences next week.

If, despite my best efforts, my AFIB gets worse then I will try an ablation - possibly a Pulsed Field Ablation - but that’s a subject for another post!

[BobD Volunteer]

Enjoy your skiing. Had to give that up when my knees gave out.

[OzJames]

My Chad score is 1 due to age being 66. My cardiologist puts me on Apixiban when I go into AF and when it converts back either by itself or in case of CV I stay on the Apixiban for a month. If it’s the CV he also does a TOE to see if there’s anything in the way of a clot. He then takes me off it and onto Cartia Aspirin. I’ve always been very aware of AF. My incidence of AF was once every 4 or 5 years since I was 35 and late last year 2 times and then again late September this year. I think my Chad score goes to 2 when I’m 75 and will go on full time Apixaban. I always train with Apple Watch and stay within my set HR limits

[Tellingfibs]

I thought age scored 1 point, but then another point was added because of paraoxysmal Afib. I was in that position and put on warfarin. My GP said you only need one episode of Afib to cause a clot to form. Have a great time skiing !

[Mcopt]

Enjoy your skiing it was always a passion of mine until I had to have both hips replaced about 5 years ago its more a confidence thing and I keep meaning to take myself back to the slopes to do a little blue/red cruising. I first recognised AF about 3 years ago after having a couple of episodes lasting a few days they resolved spontaneously but I was started on anticoagulants chadsvasc was 2 due to age and high blood pressure, now well controlled. After not having an episode for over a year I elected to stop the anticoagulants I had also made lifestyle adjustments and a period of high stress was improving (I think stress was my trigger for the AF) my decision to stop anticoagulants was driven by being a motorcyclist and living a fairly active life for my age now 68. I also have O neg blood group so transfusion can be limited as I can only accept O neg so a heavy bleed out could have added consequences. I took the precautions of monitoring my heart with a watch and a wearable ecg to monitor whilst sleeping or exercising I dont use it constantly but selectively I ensured I had a stock of edoxaban in case AF started which it did again last November I immediately went back on anticoagulants this episode lasted about 5 weeks and stopped almost immediately I went on to flecainide which I am still on, I have stopped the anticoagulants for now but still monitor and maintain awareness. It is a dilemma you certainly are balancing one risk against the other, I had a spontaneous optic nerve haemorrhage a few years ago when not on anticoagulants so that has made me cautious (I am an optometrist) . There have been some studies about treating anticoagulants as a pill in the pocket for AF sufferers, the feeling seems to be that with good monitoring and understanding that regime can be successful and with modern technology monitoring is possible I suppose that is the regime I have now adopted again its a balance of risks and its not easy but everyone is different and perhaps it isn't correct to just hand out anticoagulants without looking more closely at the individual situations and risk factors. Sorry for long reply! All the best.