Does anyone take only aspirins for their afib instead of a blood thinner ? I am really scared to start taking blood thinners . I'd rather just take a aspirin a day . Would it be safe to take just aspirin ?
I take just one 81 mg aspirin in the morning along with 75 mg of metoprolol. My AFib was only discovered this February when I was given a spinal for a total knee replacement and my heart rate went up to 220 bpm. I don't know if this helps you but I thought I'd try to allay your fears.
Was that your first afib attack? And have you had anymore attacks since ?
Yes, it was my first, and I never even felt it. They were monitoring my heart rate and found it. Even when they were bringing it down by IV bolus, I never felt it.
Did your doctor recommend you to take aspirin or a blood thinner ? I'm sorry for asking so many questions.
No worries re the questions! My cardiologist recommended it. He's the expert and I follow his directions unless I don't feel well -- then I call him.
Okay thank you
Anytime.
It depends on your age and other factors whether you need a 'blood thinner' but aspirin does not do the job. They say that the stroke risk is not just from AF but the company (other risks you have) it keeps.
Aspirin will not prevent or dissolve a clot that forms..
Hi.
Its your perogative to weigh up the pros and cons of blood thinners. I was on them and was bleeding from everwhere and with my dad dying of a cerebral haemmorhage and my low score as far of risks for a clot l decided to not take apixiban anymore and stay on fish oil only. Its a risk but a calculated one. You have to be comfortable and take responsibility for your decisions. Good luck.
You're right; it's my prerogative. However, even 81 mg of aspirin makes me prone to getting black and blue, and as long as it's working, I'm staying with it.
Hi . What are the other risk factors to consider ?
When you say your low score do you mean a chad score ?
Yes. My score is only 1. Medicine can treat a clot but not a bleed so l am reasonably comfortable with my decision at this time.
How do I do the test to find out my score and risks ?
If you goggle chad score you can do it yourself.
Seems to be two different types ,On a chad2 I scored a 1 on the /cha2ds2-vasc-score-i scored a 2.
I'm a newbie, so what's a CHAD score?
Yes the second one is the more up to date one. Read the article on CHADS2 score for stroke risk in af at emedicine.medscape.com
cha2ds2-vasc-score is the updated version