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Post op AFIB & anti coagulation drug
Heart Rhythm Conditions | Last Active: Aug 29, 2023 | Replies (23)Comment receiving replies
My understanding is that
paroxysmal Afib can be very dangerous when unmedicated or unprotected a watchman device. See in my case unless it happens again my afib resolved itself because it was only related to the stress / anesthesia associated with total knee replacement.
Senator John Fettermanwas elected in 2022. You may remember he was guy who had a stroke. He has ignored doctors instructions to anticoagulate after having afib. I'm sure he isn't you since your Afib is so infrequent and you have already gone 5 years with no problem. Still I wanted to bring him to your attention
Replies to "My understanding is that paroxysmal Afib can be very dangerous when unmedicated or unprotected a watchman..."
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@ernie4040 both my cardiologists now agree I should not (and never should have been) anticoagulated. At this point I have gone 28 months without a problem. Knock on wood. I am not opposed to it when needed.
If an episode lasts less than 5 hours, it is less risky, I was told. And for a 7 hour episode, I had an echocardiogram to check for clots. Not fool proof but helpful. Most of my episodes are about 2-3 hours. They are dramatic with heart rate 180+ , shortness of breath, chest pain, etc.
I don't eat after 5 and if I get a certain feeling in my chest I take GasX rather than a heart med. Everyone is different. I am not at all saying the everyone should follow my path. Only that I had to think for myself a bit rather than follow the first doc's opinion (which has changed).
It seems most people with afib do need blood thinners. But remember those come with risks too , including stroke.