Why is Aspirin supposed to be wrong for AF?

[cordelia]

[AFAssociation1]

Aspirin is not "wrong" for AF as such. It depends on what type of AF you have.

In the UK, over 230,000 AF patients are wrongly prescribed with aspirin, when they should be on anticoagulation treatment. Aspirin is an antiplatelet drug, which prevents the blood from becoming sticky. It can prevent around 20% of AF-related strokes,

However, anticoagulants; like warfarin, rivaroxaban, dabigatran and apixaban (this is the newest anticoagulant) are blood-thinners. They break down fibrin to stop the blood from clotting. They are three times more likely to prevent an AF-related stroke.

If you would like more information on various AF drugs, you could download fact sheets here atrialfibrillation.org.uk/p...

[TheStand in reply to AFAssociation1]

Very good answer. I have seen many people confused about this.

[cordelia in reply to AFAssociation1]

How can print out this answer please?

[Genghis in reply to AFAssociation1]

Thanks I understand now

[cordelia]

Many thanks for this helpful clarification

[AFAssociation1]

Unfortunately, the site doesn't offer a print option. I would suggest you take a print screen shot and copy it in a Word document, or select and copy the text onto a Word document, then print.

Hope this helps.

[cordelia]

Thank you very much. In fact, I worked it out for myself and succeeded in doing exactly that - i.e. selecting and copying in Word, then printing. However I have no idea what a print screen shot is!

[Hidden]

With regard to AF Association answer to the question "is aspirin wrong for AF", can you tell me which drug should be used when and where. I have just been taken off Warfarin after being on it for approx 8 weeks, and I am now taking 75mg aspirin. While taking warfarin I had a cardioversion which was not successful in returning my heart to its normal rhythm. My consultant said because of my borderline underactive thyroid he didn't see much point in trying again with the aid of an anti arrythmic drug, and instructed my GP to stop warfarin and continue with aspirin and beta blockers (which I have refused to take after careful consideration as I already have a slow to normal heartbeat and have no symptoms) My consutant has assessed my CHADS score at less than 1. Therefore has anyone any idea whether I should be on warfarin or aspirin? Thanks

[AFAssociation1 in reply to Hidden]

It sounds as though you have nothing to worry about. Aspirin is only inappropriate for AF patients who are at a moderate or high risk of stroke - when warfarin becomes necessary to prevent strokes. A CHADS2 score of zero denotes a low risk of stroke for which neither aspirin nor warfarin is recommended by the ESC clinical guidelines. If your CHADS2 score were to rise to 1, it would be necessary to check your CHADSVASc score to ensure that you have truly remained at low risk.

[schipperke]

My consultant told me to take Aspirin after 1 yr free of AF After ablation. I refused. 2YEARS on I was rushed to AE with 156 bpm AF on Saturday, returned to normal after cardio version. Took a 75mg aspirin before Ambulance arrived. I will not take a drug that can cause internal bleeding unless an emergency. Was on Warfarin 10 yrs and consultant took me off it 1 year after Ablation. Do they just quess with patients...I think so!!!

[seasider18 in reply to schipperke]

They gave you a cardioversion without you being on a blood thinner?