I got the same recommendation for 4 years and resisted. Then I saw a cardiologist who told me with afib that infrequently, I don't need a blood thinner. Now my original doc agrees and admits they "overmedicate." If you have an episode, they can check for a clot with an echocardiogram before you leave the hospital. Why would you have a device put in your heart if it has been a year since you had fib? Are you over 75? What are your CHADS scores? (there are two kinds of CHADS)?

Warfarin and other blood thinners certainly have side effects: like bleeding! I take care of my elderly mother who is on Warfarin.