Heart Rhythm Conditions – Welcome to the group

Yes, it makes an educated choice on meds a shot in the dark. My husband and I just studied the list of rhythm control meds and rate control meds. Interesting. Rate control seems to be the least toxic but age and other considerations play a part. Just give it to the divine knowing he/she will guide and protect.

Good point, @healthytoday! The pharmaceutical industry is always suspect for its power to influence political and public opinion and, in fact, the regulators at the FDA -- not only because of corporate capacity to fill communications and advertising channels with bullwharf, but also because of the fulsome fees they pay the FDA to determine the safety and effectiveness of the medications the industry manufactures and sells. Martin

Thank you Martin. Yes, it is complex and circumstances differ among patients. I'm on Eliquis, thought I might have a milder med with aspirin, but I've been reading online various opinions. It seems aspirin is being phases out as a blood thinner of choice and as you mentioned, not mixing well with other meds. But then you look at the rather "sneaky" pharma industry, ie, pain killers, and I wonder how much miss information is out there against aspirin since it's so cheap and needs no prescription. ??

@healthytoday, I was diagnosed with A-fib four years ago. My cardiologist prescribed Coumadin as my anticoagulant medication for preventing clots from forming in my heart and invading my brain, causing a stroke. At the time of the diagnosis, I had been on baby aspirins for several years, and my cardiologist recommended that I drop that practice -- worried, he said, that it would cause excess bleeding in combination with the other medication. A good friend is also an A-fib patient, taking Coumadin and baby aspirin; his cardiologist found variables in his circulatory system, including his heart and kidneys, that indicated the aspirin would be helpful.

Neither he nor I have or offer any opinions about aspirin versus anticoagulant. Factors involved are numerous, subtle, and technical -- so much so that we don't make recommendations to anybody. And we restrict our decisive discussions about this to those that we have with our respective medical teams.

Some people consider Coumadin to be its own problem, requiring regular blood tests to make sure of stable coagulation at low-threat levels. I don't share that concern, but only for myself. I don't recommend Coumadin therapy for anybody else, although I do defend it with associates whose cardiologists have recommended it to them. As to Coumadin versus Eliquis, I point out that there is a ready antidote for Coumadin (for use in case of a wound or hemorrhage or intestinal or urethral bleeding), but not for Eliquis, and that makes the choice between the two a primary subject for thorough discussion with a doctor prescribing Eliquis. I'm sorry that this response is so lengthy, but the issues are complex and many and require physician guidance rather than informal opinions of nonprofessionals. Martin

Can anyone tell me how long Afib has been around, seems like it’s becoming very prevalent, I wonder why?

Afib, stroke prevention.

For blood thinners. For what purpose

Any opinions on taking Eliquis verse baby aspirin?

Here are some websites listing the side effects of Metoprolol. I had many of these.
https://www.webmd.com/drugs/2/drug-8814/metoprolol-succinate-oral/details/list-sideeffects
https://www.drugs.com/sfx/metoprolol-side-effects.html
https://www.rxlist.com/toprol-xl-side-effects-drug-center.htm

@healthytoday
It is Atenolol, I take the same dose, 25 mg, but there are no side effects. One of the worst side effects with Metoprolol was very vivid dreams. They were not nightmares but dreams where I was extremely busy, I used to wake up tired from all of the dreaming activity. I was also anxious because I had not slept well. Sounds unusual, but the vivid dreams are listed as a side effect on the drug's website. Not so with the Atenolol, though. Much better, feel more relaxed. Might be worth a try, if your doctor is agreeable.