1. < Heart & Blood Health

Low Platelets and Afib

Posted by vneely @vneely, Jun 6, 2021

male, 68 years old. Have had Afib for and low Platelets (around 50,000) for 30 + years. Recently had Pacemaker installed for slow heart rate. DR. sees Afib and puts me on 5mg Eliquis 2x daily. Is this necessary, and or dangerous due to low platelets?

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Mentor
Lori, Volunteer Mentor | @loribmt | Jun 6, 2021

Hi @vneely Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. Members on the Connect forum aren’t medical professionals so we can’t diagnose or offer treatments. We’re members such as yourself who share their stories and experiences to help others.

I see where you’re going with this question about being on Eliquis daily to help prevent strokes/blood clots because you have Afib but also have a low platelet count. The fact that your platelets are low in volume means your ability to clot is already reduced. So you’re wondering if this is redundant.

In all honesty if I were in this situation, I’d call and speak with my doctor. Did he explain why this is necessary? If not, ask him. If he is aware of your low platelet level and has you on this medication he may have good reason for doing so. But it never hurts to ask.

In the meantime, no knife juggling for a while, I guess. 😉 Lori.

REPLY
1 reply
vneely | @vneely | Jun 8, 2021
In reply to @loribmt "Hi @vneely Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. Members on the Connect forum aren’t medical professionals so..." + (show)
@loribmt

Hi @vneely Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. Members on the Connect forum aren’t medical professionals so we can’t diagnose or offer treatments. We’re members such as yourself who share their stories and experiences to help others.

I see where you’re going with this question about being on Eliquis daily to help prevent strokes/blood clots because you have Afib but also have a low platelet count. The fact that your platelets are low in volume means your ability to clot is already reduced. So you’re wondering if this is redundant.

In all honesty if I were in this situation, I’d call and speak with my doctor. Did he explain why this is necessary? If not, ask him. If he is aware of your low platelet level and has you on this medication he may have good reason for doing so. But it never hurts to ask.

In the meantime, no knife juggling for a while, I guess. 😉 Lori.

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Lori,Thank you for your comments.

REPLY
farley4722 | @farley4722 | Oct 15, 2022

I am in a similar situation and my dr goes back and forth. Did you ever get a straight answer?

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