Anyone with occasional Afib NOT on a blood thinner?

I have occasional AFIB, it started a year ago. I get it every 3 months. But after getting them I can see why I had them, either due to hydration, tired from travel, or caffeine. I am much more aware now. Docs want me on blood thinners forever but...Xeralto made me feel tired all the time and a bit depressed sometimes light-headed. I went off it after 2 months. I'm looking to speak to a nutritionist but I recently purchased Nattokinase does the same thing but it's a supplement the Japanese eat it all the time, it's fermented soy.

In the past, with coffee or chocolate. If I had the symptoms you are having, I would not take the drug either, no matter what the doc wanted. Docs are taught to administer drugs. Not into prevention or anything natural.

Try Pradaxa. I have mild Afib with no physical negative issues. I now take Atenolol, a beta blocker that somewhat reduces blood pressure. If you did not have an echocardiogram as yet, recommend one. It will measure the size of your atrium and provide information as to blood flow.

I’ve used Nattokinase off and on for many years

My first cardiologist wouldn’t allow me to take CoQ10 or Hawthorne to help strengthen my heart; only statins and all meds. I took nattokinase anyway. My new cardiologist is familiar with nattokinase and has multiple pts on it. She explained the risks of taking vs not taking blood thinners and is ok with me doing nattokinase, CoQ10.

I darent have even decaf coffee, alcahol or dark chocolate, (which all go together so well 😋🙁) because within a hour or so the AF starts. I have 1 kidney, I take Letrazole & martizipan every other day... Anyone similar? 🤔

I just had a fantastic appointment with an EP at a top teaching hospital. He does not want to put me on a blood thinner for my annual or sometimes twice/year episodes (45 minutes-7 hours, heart rate up to 194, 10 years) but agreed with the idea of "pill in the pocket" diltiazem and Eliquis, the latter if an episode lasts, say, more than 5 hours.

In 2015 a cardiologist wanted me on full time anticoagulants and I discussed but declined. In 2016 a cardiologist in the hospital told me to "go home and forget it happened>"

It is frustrating having these contradictory responses and today was, to quote Goldilocks, "just right."

To my relief he did not suggest the ablation that the top cardiologist had wanted. He is doing a stress test only because my episodes can cause left arm pain. He said a heart rate of 180-195 with afib is basically a stress test in and of itself.

I am the same. No decaf, dark chocolate. Never been an alcohol drinker but if I go to a church that serves communion in a little tiny cup that is wine, I feel weird physically. Can't explain. I don't take any meds though like you.

I have had two discrete Afib episodes, 11 years apart, the last one was 5 years ago. The cardiologist I saw then said he was comfortable with my taking a blood thinner for 5 days after an episode if I had another one, but agreed that a daily dose was not necessary. Both of my episodes came after a particularly stressful event. I do get PACs and PVCs and after wearing a Zio patch (that I could only tolerate for a few days) I was told that I have SVT (supraventricular tachycardia) which seems to run in my family. Those episodes last an average of 10 seconds so not anything major. I’m 73 now (female) and have been taking 25 mg metoprolol XR and 25 mg losartan since my first afib episode. However, I’m able to get away with taking half of the metoprolol for the most part. I’m pretty reactive to medications.

@yorlik -I have the same risk factors in my lifestyle plus mountain biking. Been on apixiban for 5 years. In Canada the generic drug is 30 Canadian dollars a month. My cardiologist told me it takes only a few hours of afib to create a clot, but 2 weeks of apixiban to resolve it. I had an ablation 8 months ago and no recurrence yet but the recommendation is to stay anti coagulated for life. It does take longer for small cuts to stop bleeding but otherwise no side effects. I take extra care with tools and don’t do crazy stuff on the bike. I would rather take the smaller risk of a major bleed over a stroke. Aspirin won’t do the job, and warfarin is a real problem to keep at the correct level.