Does anyone with AFIB NOT take blood thinners?

I use a CPAP machine for AFib.

This has been a question that is kicking around in my mind.

I have had undiagnosed and untreated Afib since at least 2015. Undiagnosed because it happens so rarely that on every occasion I brought it up to a Doc…they never witnessed it or caught it on a heart monitor.

So..8 years (or more) with no blood thinners, no meds at all. My Afib has not gotten worse or more frequent. It was a complete fluke that the doc saw this happen a month ago (wasn’t there for is issue).

Can a person have Afib and not be on blood thinners … yeah. Was my lack of issue just luck? Not enough info. Would I knowingly continue this risk? No

I have paroxysmal afib and am not on blood thinners. My episodes involve heart rate above 180 with lots of symptoms and I end up in the ER. They vary from 45 minutes to 7 hours. Usually once a year, just went two years and then recently had three very short episodes.

I declined blood thinners after my first episode and the cardiologist has since told me that was a good decision. However I am interested in a study on short-term anti-coagulation for episodes like mine. Otherwise the hospital did an echo to check for clots after the 7 hour episode.

There are two different CHADS score systems that can help with the decision as well.

I once asked to be taken off Xarelto and the doc said: "I'd hate to see you come into the office after several months dragging one foot behind you after having a stroke!" That was enough for me to continue. I really have no problems with Xarelto.

I don't take blood thinners or mediction anymore for AF. I take flaxseed oil capsules 1000mgs , one every morning...they are natural blood thinners.

Thank you for this info. I have had no documented A-Fib since my ablation in Aug ‘22. When I moved and started seeing a new EP cardiologist in July he immediately put me on blood thinners. I really want to get off of them, but he explained my odds are high for stroke with my age, family history and other health issues. Did your EP Cardiologist go along with you taking flax seed oil?

No, he doesn't know I have done it. He was an arrogant chauvinist pig and did not want to discuss that the blood thinners were making me nauseated....he didn't want to discuss my AF episode at all really. So I looked into natural blood thinners and flaxseed oil 1000mgs or higher came up as a great effective natural one so I put myself on them.......

I always prefer the natural route. I do highly respect my ep cardiologist, so agreed to go on Eliquest. I will bring your suggestions for flax seed oil to his attention and discuss with him. It is sad how you were treated! I have peripheral neuropathy because my other cardiologist wouldn’t listen to me that the hydralazine was causing it. My research on NIH confirmed it. We have to be our own advocate and should be listened to and treated with respect at all times. Thank you for your help!

@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.

@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.