New onset atrial fibrillation, now on Eliquis

I was diagnosed with new onset Afib on 27 Dec 2024 and have been on Eliquis, Diltiazem (now off Diltiazem an on Metoprolol) since the diagnoses.

I had an Echocardiogram done and the only issue is a slightly dilated left atrial. Information like that is part of the written information on the Echocardiogram results.

Just last week I had a successful Cardioversion, but I am still on Eliquis and Metoprolol. I have my follow-up appointment in a few days and at time will discuss the continued use of meds.

Thank you!

The answer to your question about how long you will have to be on an anti-coagulant (DOAC in the medical community, means 'direct-acting oral anti-coagulant'):

It depends on your risk for stroke, your sex, and your age. This can be easily computed by you if you know, and are willing to enter, the true values for each of the fields. Try this:
https://www.mdcalc.com/calc/801/cha2ds2-vasc-score-atrial-fibrillation-stroke-risk
If your score is above 2 when all fields are added, you will be strongly advised to take a DOAC, and probably for the rest of your life. You can always decline, but it would be against the advice of a cardiologist who would otherwise prescribe it for you.
Why stroke risk? Because of the nature of the arrhythmia, and due to the anatomy of the typical human heart. This all presupposes that your arrhythmia is atrial fibrillation, which is an electrical disorder of the left atrium. If you have another arrhythmia, you may not have to take a DOAC, but that would be determined with you seeing a cardiologist.

I suggest googling side effects of Eliquis. There are several web sites to look at.

Do not ignore jaw pain with chest pain. That is not a classic sign of Afib. It's more of a heart plumbing sign. Good news on the scan but was the jaw/chest pain Afib after the scan? 1200 is modestly high for clots hence the scan. I think your question is better put after your heart has been regular. A lot of cardios will say you take eliquis forever. Your "chads" score is probably already at or above 2. But my experience with coming off eliquis is that I waited a year each time after last events or after last ablation. So I am 6 months out of an ablation, Sept 2024 and it is too soon to consider coming off eliquis. When you have had multiple Afib events that automatically puts you in the "group" of full timers. You gotta be stable for long time and have a good doc.

Thank you for the link to check my score.
My score is a 5.
I also have Renal FMD (fibromuscular dysplasia) diagnosed in 2014 (on 125mg Metoprolol and 12.5mg losartin every day) and Left Ventricular Diastolic Dysfuncyion with preserved EF, which I think is part of congestive heart failure? I’m on lasix and Aldactone for this.
I was able to relook at my ECHO which stated “mild left atrium enlargement” and “mild to moderate tricuspid regurg”.
I have yet to hear from or get an appt with a cardiologist.
Other than two episodes of short lived afib, my heart has remained in a normal sinus rhythm.
I’m getting a bit anxious, AND trying to remain calm about not talking with cardiology. As long as I don’t have chest/jaw pain or a fast afib I can be patient.
The Cardiology department at Mayo must be quite busy, or hard to get in to be seen!
I am grateful for the responses all of you have given me! It’s been very helpful! Thank you!

Thank you…
The chest with jaw pain, sometimes radiating to my left arm occurs at rest, and sometimes wakes me up.
I’ve had this off and on for about a year.
I’ve been wondering if my coronary arteries sometimes spasm?
It only lasts about 5-20 min, with a pain rating 6-7, deep and heavy feeling.
Because it doesn’t last very long (and the closest ER is 25 miles away) I just take my BP, pulse and assess my skin if warm and dry. Sometimes I take 4 Baby Aspirin. And now I also check an EKG with my iPhone watch.
I’ve only had this pain once with afib, (5 days after my initial ER visit for new onset Afib.)
If I didn’t also have this kind of pain, I would be less concerned as the metoprolol keeps my heart rate well controlled.
Again, thank you…