Cardiologist suggests I can stop taking Eliquis. Any thoughts?

My husband was told he can stop taking eliquis after a time of no AFib incidents. He had a successful ablation a few years ago, 2020 I believe, and wears his Apple Watch.

My husband had ablation in 2020, no afib since, but his doc says stay on Eliquis.

Hi Martin! In your reply to @dsisko, you stated "you preferred to stay on Coumadin because it has a common antidote whereas Eliquis does NOT." I have come to trust your experience and knowledge which is why your statement really took me by surprise!
There IS an antidote for both Xarelto and Eliquis called ANDEXXA and also one for Pradaxa called PRAXBIND. These antidotes are now as readily available as is Vitamin K, the antidote for Coumadin. When I had my ablation and the choice of anticoagulants was discussed, Coumadin was definitely at the bottom of my list. I did not want to have to go in every month for a coagulation test, a possible change in the dosage of my medication nor did I want to have to be extra careful of my diet......watching closely that I did not consume foods that contained high levels of Vitamin K. Being a vegetarian, this would have moved a great many fruits and vegetables to my "DO NOT EAT" list. Since you have been on Coumadin for a long time, you are aware of what needs to be avoided or eaten only in small and infrequent quantities, but if anyone is reading this who is unaware of the restrictions associated with Coumadin, I will list a few fruits and veggies that are high in Vitamin K. (I didn't look up any meats, but I believe most cuts of meat are quite low in Vitamin K)
Dark leafy greens (especially kale, Swiss chard and Endive) broccoli, squash, peppers, tomatoes, eggplant, carrots, onions, cauliflower, string beans, peas, soybeans, kidney beans, raspberries, strawberries, cantaloupe, plums, grapes, papaya and rhubarb. This is NOT the complete list of high Vitamin K foods and there are also a number of common spices, like sage and oregano, which are high in K.
While there are pros and cons for ALL anticoagulants, I chose one that would have the least impact on my daily life, not require monthly testing AND has an antidote. (It also had no side effects for me) My coagulation rate is checked at my regular 6 month cardio check ups and during the two years I've been on Xarelto, the results have been excellent.
I believe all the anticoagulant choices are good and safe and it comes down to personal preference. And you can always change if your choice is not working well for you.

The medical community uses the calculus found in the CHA2DS2-VASc score. You can google an on-line calculator and derive your own score if you wish. Just be sure to put valid and current information in the fields or you'll get garbage for a score. If your score is above 1.5, you would be wise to take it (assuming cost and your body's reaction to it aren't problems). A score of 2.0 and above means a mandatory prescription for a direct-acting oral anti-coagulant (DOAC) like apixaban. Mandatory for the physician/cardiologist, not mandatory that you should take it...just a really good idea.
Your cardiologist wants you on apixaban perhaps due to one or more other risks than the now-corrected AF. But there's more; for up to six months after being rid of AF via ablation, you can still suffer a stroke from a clot dislodged from the left atrial appendage (LAA). The medical community has reckoned that quite a few strokes can be attributed to clots in the LAA long after the last episode of AF. !!!
Bottom line: while an ablation might rid you of the AF, there may be other comorbidities or risks that make staying on a DOAC for several months later wise, or even remaining on one for life. If it is well-tolerated.

There is generic version of Eliquis. They do not sell it in USA but you can get it from Canadá online

Hi and thanks for your suggestions. As it turns out my husband's CHA2DS2-VASc is 2 (I think from memory) due to age alone. He is 82. He has no other heart-related, weight, apnea or BP issues. So the conservative thing for him is to take Eliquis. He has no side effects from it and we can afford it, so its really a moot issue in my opinion. He is aware of the blood thinning risk, but it is relatively small compared to a stroke, in my opinion. He has had conversations with his cardiologist, and doc feels safest route is to take the med. I agree. He needs no other heart med.

Hi and thanks for your suggestions. As it turns out my husband's CHA2DS2-VASc is 2 (I think from memory) due to age alone. He is 82. He has no other heart-related, weight, apnea or BP issues. So the conservative thing for him is to take Eliquis. He has no side effects from it and we can afford it, so its really a moot issue in my opinion. He is aware of the blood thinning risk, but it is relatively small compared to a stroke, in my opinion. He has had conversations with his cardiologist, and doc feels safest route is to take the med. I agree. He needs no other heart med.