I Have Afib…Now What?
Your doctor recently told you that you have atrial fibrillation, or Afib. So what does that mean? What do you have to do now? Rest assured, this is not a dangerous problem, but it does need to be addressed.
First, you’re probably wondering… “what is Afib?” That can be a very long answer, but in short… It is the most common abnormal heart rhythm, affecting millions of people. The top chambers of the heart don’t contract normally, but rather just quiver. This can cause many different potential symptoms as well as other issues.
My Apple Watch Told Me I Have Afib
And now… the Apple watch.
The Apple Watch and other wearables are now able to monitor your heart rhythm. The Apple watch can detect irregular heart rhythms, and if it does so 5 times, it will prompt you to record your rhythm. And in that way, it can also be used to diagnose atrial fibrillation.
Does that mean that if the Apple Watch says I have an irregular rhythm… that I have Afib?
The simple answer is… Not always.
AFIB Clinic Featured in EP Digest
Dr. Jose Osorio was featured in EP Digest, a leading industry publication for electrophysiology. Check out the article below!
Common Symptoms of Atrial Fibrillation (Afib)
What does a pilot, a teacher, a student, a nurse, a father, and an account have in common?
Atrial Fibrillation
What you have never heard of it? Atrial fibrillation, sometimes abbreviated to Afib can change an individual’s life without notice. Some of our patient’s can tell when they are in atrial fibrillation (Afib) or “out of rhythm” & some are asymptomatic.
Some of the most common symptoms reported are:
- fluttering in the chest
- skipped or irregular heart beats
- heart racing
- palpitations
- chest pain or pressure
- anxiety
- shortness of breath with or without activity
- and most commonly fatigue.
The Evolution of Atrial Fibrillation Ablation
The Evolution of Atrial Fibrillation Ablation: Utilizing Current Technology to Improve Efficiency, Safety and Efficacy
Into My Heart: how a heart rhythm disorder can change your life
Brandon Cobia experienced a life changing event, a cardiac arrhythmia that caused his heart to race for months. Fortunately, his condition was treated by a procedure called catheter ablation.
First AFib Patient Symposium
ACG and St Vincent’s Hospital first Symposium for patients with atrial fibrillation was a success! Many patients had the opportunity to learn about atrial fibrillation and treatment options available today to decrease the risk of stroke and improve quality of life.
If you have missed our symposium you can review our slides below. Stay tuned as we will have many more opportunities in the future
AFib & Newer Blood Thinners
Atrial fibrillation and the newer blood thinners – Pradaxa, Xarelto and Eliquis
Atrial fibrillation is the most common heart rhythm disorder and it is associated with an increased risk of strokes. Strokes occur when blood clots are formed in the left atrium and if they dislodge they may cut off blood supply to a part of the brain.
Anticoagulants work by preventing the formation of blood clots. Warfarin, pradaxa, Xarelto and Eliquis are the blood thinners available in the US
What are blood thinners and why are they used?
Blood thinners are used to prevent strokes in patients that have atrial fibrillation and are at risk. They make your blood less likely to clot. In patients with Afib they are used to prevent the formation of blood clots in the left atrium – which are the cause of strokes.
Warfarin
Up until a few years ago, the only option available was warfarin.
Warfarin is a drug proven to reduce strokes. In patients with atrial fibrillation, warfarin can decrease the risk of strokes by 60-70%. However, this benefit comes at a price. It is at the expense of an increased risk of intracranial bleeding, other bleeding and a significant change in a patient’s lifestyle. Patients taking warfarin should have a limited and steady intake of foods containing vitamin K (green leafy vegetables). Furthermore, there is a need for frequent blood checks to see if the blood is adequately anticoagulated. It also has many drug-drug interactions.
Therefore, although warfarin has proven benefits, it is a very cumbersome drug. It has side effects and many interactions with food and other drugs, and it requires constant monitoring.
The Novel Anticoagulants – Dabigatran, Rivaroxaban and Apixaban
Recently, newer blood thinners have become available. The so called “novel anticoagulant agents” approved in the United States are:
Dabigatran (Pradaxa)
Rivaroxaban (Xarelto)
Apixaban (Eliquis)
All three drugs were approved after large clinical trials, including tens of thousands of patients, were conducted. The trials were designed to show that the each one of these drugs was at least non-inferior to Coumadin and they have all managed to do that. Further analysis and clinical practice has shown however that they are probably superior to Coumadin.
The new drugs have all produced a significantly lower risk of hemorrhagic strokes. Hemorrhagic strokes are caused by blood thinners; they are essentially the price we pay for using these agents to decrease strokes.
The novel anticoagulants have many similarities:
Mode of action
No need for frequent blood work to see if the levels are in the right range
No interaction with food
Very few drug interactions
Very tolerable – number of patients stopping the meds because of side effects is similar to coumadin
Signs and Symptoms of bleeding while on a blood thinner
The newer blood thinners are designed to make your blood less likely to clot. Therefore, it is to be expected that there is an increased risk of bleeding. If you are started on one of the novel anticoagulants, please contact your doctor or seek medical care if you have any signs or symptoms of bleeding:
any unexpected, severe, or uncontrollable bleeding
unusual or unexpected bruising
coughing up or vomiting blood; or vomit that looks like coffee grounds
pink or brown urine; red or black stools (looks like tar)
unexpected pain, swelling, or joint pain
headaches and feeling dizzy or weak
What is your risk of bleeding?
The risk of bleeding with the newer blood thinners and with Coumadin is increased in some patients. The HAS-BLED bleeding risk score is used to see what your risk of bleeding is. The more risk factors you have, the higher the risk.
HAS-BLED Scoring System for Prediction of Major Bleeding Risk in Patients Treated With Anticoagulation for Atrial Fibrillation
HAS-BLED – Calculate your risk of bleeding based on risk factors
Blood thinners and Surgery
Blood thinners may need to be stopped, if possible, before surgery or medical or dental procedures. If you are taking coumadin it may have to be stopped 5 days before your procedure. The newer anticoagulants can be stopped 1 or 2 days before your procedure, depending on you kidney function and the procedure you are having. Be sure to discuss with you doctor before stopping. Risks and benefits of stopping it for a few days need to be discussed and taken into consideration.
Newer Blood Thinners
Patients with atrial fibrillation need to be on a drug to prevent strokes. For patients at low risk aspirin is used and if you have other risk factors for stroke, we typically use blood thinners. Up until recently the only option was coumadin (warfarin). Although it works and decreased stroke rates by about 60-70%, it has many disadvantages.
Novel anticoagulants are available, they do not require monitoring and do not interfere with your diet and also have very few drug interactions. If you have Afib and is currently on anticoagulation, ask your doctor about one the newer drugs and see if it could help you.
