Just to clarify @kevkat73 your afib is continuous. I have two hours once a year. The original poster has paroxysmal afib, which occurs at times rather than continuously. It is not clear how often or for how long @lenmayo has afib. I just wanted to offer a different view point, which both my cardiologists have signed off on.

I don't know what you mean by "mild afib." Either it is afib or not afib and the stroke risk comes from afib.

The fact that I end up in the hospital or even the ICU is because of low blood pressure and the way treatment of afib further lowers it. But my risk isn't any greater because of the apparent seriousness of the episodes. They are very infrequent and short in duration.

I am seeking short term anticoagulation from my next appointment, and guidelines on how long an episode has to be to require anti-coagulation. There are huge discrepancies on what duration is said to be dangerous for stroke; a few minutes to 48 hours.

Sounds like my story & I am lucky to be able to afford the meds with no major side effects. Thanks for your input.