Saturday, August 8, 2015

Blood thinner and atrial fibrillation

I have atrial fibrillation and am on three blood thinners. Is this safe?


Atrial fibrillation is one of the most difficult disorders to treat. Converting patients to normal sinus rhythm with medications, surgery or with use of pacemakers does not always work. All patients with atrial fibrillation need to be on blood thinners to prevent stroke. The latest data is that most people do fairly well with 2 blood thinners. Use of three blood thinners also works but the risk of bleeding is also higher. You need to discuss this issue with your doctor; not a nurse or a pharmacist as they are clueless in the management of this serious disorder. Not even a general physician is good enough to give you advice on management of atrial fibrillation. Make sure you speak to an experience physician as this is critical. Strokes that occur in patients with atrial fibrillation are devastating.  You will need to speak to a cardiologist and weigh out the risks and benefits of 2 versus 3 blood thinners. I can’t give any more specific advice

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