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I tried this with my cardiologist, just suggesting lowering the doses, especially Eliquis due to excessive bruising and he was NOT happy with me. I guess it depends on what you're on, why you need it and what risk factors you are willing to take. My PCP suggested a statin though my lipid levels were just at the upper end of "normal" and I said No. She points out the stroke risk number I get assigned and I point out that I get "2" points for being a female (can't change that), "1" point for being over 65 (can't change that), one for carrying a "diagnosis" of high B/P (even though it is controlled and has been for years), and now A-Fib (that so many "old" people have that I can't believe it! and which I have tried to control with lifestyle changes as much as possible) and essentially I am "doomed" according to the "statistics" so I won't take anything else that might compromise my present state of health. Good luck! 🙂
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@sjm46 On both sides of the Atlantic, cardiologists have begun to ask their governing body for a change in the female sex assigned score/penalty of 1 point in the CHA2DS2-VA assessment. It seems clear to those who want changes to the policy that until one gets a score of 2.0, there is no start to divergence on the sex paths for thromboembolic evetns associated with AF patients. In fact, the female anatomy seems to present a modifying impact on the risk of thromboembolic stroke, not be a generator of increased risk over that of males. So, in a short while, I think you may find that they will remove an assigned point, at which you will be in a stronger position to wave away the DOAC. Even more, there is mounting evidence that daily dosages of DOAC offer no marked improvement at reducing the risk of stroke over a single baby aspirin (81 mg) once a day. That, too, is being challenged and studied, More to follow...
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@sjm46
It is sad that the industry is so backward in the US. Sounds like I’m in your boat as far as heart disease. A lot of mine is also genetics since most of my sybs also have heart disease. Good diet and exercise 💪🤞