← Return to Heart Rhythm Episodes - AFib; Tachycardia, High Blood Pressure

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@predictable

I have "mild" A-fib. Translation, while my arrhythmia always shows up on an EKG, I have no conscious symptoms other than relatively light heart beats that I usually see on my blood pressure meter interspersed between regular (for me) heart beats. Even so, one day six years ago (almost to the day) I developed a small blood clot that invaded my brain and caused a "small stroke." That happened although I was taking an anticoagulant (Warfarin) to prevent it. For some reason the drug had an excessive effect (probably the result of a surprise dose of Vitamin K in a meal) and, working with my medical team, I skipped two daily doses of Warfarin, bringing my INR back down where it belonged. Unfortunately, the clot formed and struck me during a long walk. An MRI a short time later confirmed a small clot in a capillary deep in my brain. The stroke effects have not been disabling, just a little inconveniencing in taste, smell, and hearing. I continued bowling the last six years, averaging about 170 per game as usual for the last 60 years.

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Replies to "I have "mild" A-fib. Translation, while my arrhythmia always shows up on an EKG, I have..."

A high INR will cause bleeding, not a clot. I am confused! Skipping warfarin brings the INR down as does Vitamin K.

If the drug had an excessive effect, that would cause high INR and bleeding and Vitamin K would be helpful, not harmful.

Sorry about your small stroke but sounds fortuitous in some ways because it gave you warning without serious harm, at least that is how it sounds.