Anyone with occasional Afib NOT on a blood thinner?

Fish oil (active ingredients omega-3 DHA and EGA) is a natural blood thinner, that is, it slightly retards coagulation and clotting - which I guess is what we're really after.*

There is also the GLA in evening primrose oil which is supposed to simultaneously make blood more "slippery" as do blood thinners, and also *encourage* clotting where it is needed. I take it on occasion more for the second purpose than the first. I've been searching for a long time to hear if anyone has good guidance as to how it affects medical conditions.

I have long wondered what one or both of these offer instead of the prescription blood thinners. AFAIK neither causes any serious problems with too much bleeding.

*I should add, the thing about omega's is that they need to be in balance, with a dietary ratio of about 6:3:1 for omega 6, omega 3, and omega 9 (best from EVOO). Since most people get far too much omega-6 in red meat and seed oils, simply cutting back on omega-6 may be as effective as taking more omega-3!

@ggj2 I have a similar situation with an ascending aortic aneurysm and paroxysmal A Fib, now on Eliquis. It is important to reduce stroke risk with the blood thinner. Control your BP with appropriate meds and that will keep the aneurysm from increasing in size.

Get and stay on a diet that does not cause a stroke. The side effects of Eliquis is what I would fear.

Eat a diet that does not cause thick blood.

I have taken Eliquis for 4 years now and have never had any side effects.

@carbcounter, hello... Just one thing I've been reading about lately: that, apparently, studies are showing fish oil may be promoting more atrial fib episodes. So some doctors are starting to say, eat more fatty fish, ie., salmon, sardines, etc., but don't take the fish oil supplements. If you have AF, you may want to do some reading on that. Best wishes!

@drdianeschneider , I had half an answer to your points and then had a nice discussion with Grok and learned a few more things. I'm skeptical that there should be a big difference between common fish oil supplements and eating fatty fish (which comes with mercury not to mention purines ...). Then there are the medical grades of the omega-3's in fish oil like Vascepa. Then there are the sources of information on one or the other. Then there are dose levels and balancing omegas in the overall diet.

The negative results seem to result in already older subject studies who would react poorly to any monitored experiment, often with the Vascepa versions that are perhaps not wise, and it turns out that even common fish oil lacks ALA, the base of the fancier omega-3s, which may also be necessary. And unless you also control for omega-6 (and possibly 9!) you may as well flip a coin. And I learned more about this "ethyl ester" bit, SMH.

(looks like I should try the TG version of fish oil supplements!)

I guess if it was simple we'd all know it already, huh.

@marybird me too Ive been on Eliquis for 18 months no side effects at all. I have AF have had a pacemaker inserted. Dr advised blood thinners help to avoid strokes. Age also affects whether you have or not. I'd rather be safe than not.

I had SEVERE afib ages 14 to 21 At age 77, RARELY have a blip for a couple of seconds. I eliminated the CAUSE which was caffeine. My diet makes me safer than drugs.

@lindy9 - Wonderful that you rarely have a blip of AFib!

How was it determined that caffeine was the CAUSE?
When you were using caffeinated products, how much were you using in a day? Just coffee/soda or???

I have paroxysmal AFib sometimes 10 minutes and very occasionally 6 hours. I have had a pacemaker now for 12 years, just got a new one inserted 2 years ago (Medtronic). I take Plavix and 2 81mg enteric coated aspirin every am; plus BP and cholesterol meds.

I take no products like Eliquis/Xarelto, etc. I was a caregiver for my husband (severe heart issues) and he was on Xarelto first and then switched to Eliquis because of severe bleeding into his eyes. I'm scared silly of either one of them or any others. I'm considering the Watchman, but still on the fence.

I've taken Plavix close to 18 years and aspirin in various doses for about the same length of time. I have NEVER had a bleeding episode of any type, no low hemoglobin, no problem with any surgeries I've had, no blood clots.

My Lisinopril has been reduced because I was running very low blood pressure following a very complex PCI which opened 3 severely blocked areas.

Thank you for sharing.