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Does anyone with AFIB NOT take blood thinners?
Heart Rhythm Conditions | Last Active: Jan 23 9:08am | Replies (149)Comment receiving replies
@dld2 You have/had the right to decline blood thinners recommended by your doc. They go by CHADS scores which don't take into account how often you have afib.
I declined blood thinners with my first episode of afib in 2015 and 5 years later my cardiologist, who had pressured me, admitted I was right and that docs overmedicate.
I think about it this way: they can't be sued if they follow the CHADS protocol, but can be sued if they don't. In other words prescribing protects docs legally but may not be needed and may even be harmful for some.
If I had afib more often I would certainly consider blood thinners though.
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@windyshores
I’m happy to read your message because I have also declined blood thinners for various reasons and have paroxysmal afib cause by a cancer med. I’m curious how often you and others have afib, how long it lasts and how high your heart rate goes. I certainly get the irregular heart beat but my heart rate typically only goes up to 100 and 125 is the highest ever starting from 50-60. Is the irregular beat the only factor causing blood clots or is the heart rate a factor too? My episodes typically last 12-18 hours but the irregular beat stops hours before the heart rate gradually goes back to normal. I typically have 1-4 episodes per month. My BP usually gets too low and I’m fatigued during an episode. Meds and procedures rarely go as planned for my body so I’m hesitant to sign on for any treatment. Took Multaq for 3 days years ago and felt like I was having a heart attack the whole time. Scary. Thanks for any insight.